Chapter Text
As on-campus jobs went, Leo figured he got off pretty easily as a resident advisor. He got free room and board, he rarely had to break up fights, and he loved getting to know the students in his wing.
Even better, he was an RA in the performing arts dorm, which meant he got to hear all different kinds of music throughout the day, and meet the musicians who played it.
This afternoon, power chord after power chord bounced around the walls of the dormitory. JJ Leroy played like he sang: bold and unmistakable.
Just as unmistakable was the sound of Yuri Plisetsky stomping down the hall, violin in hand, to Leo’s open door. Leo sighed. That made the third time this semester (and it was only the fourth week of classes).
“Tell him to can it or I’ll put my boot through his amp!”
Leo summoned his most understanding expression—overdoing it seemed to work best with Yuri. “I’m sure if you ask him to turn it down—”
“I’m not going to sit in a circle with him and sing fucking Kumbaya,” Yuri snarled. He was clenching the neck of his violin so tightly that Leo feared for its safety. “I have a recital in two days!”
The best way to respond was to keep calm and handle the dispute. “That sounds stressful,” said Leo, putting his coffee down and heading down the hall toward JJ’s room. “I know Ms. Baranovskaya can be strict.”
“Keep your pity to yourself, RA. We’re not friends.”
Leo would never have accused Yuri of anything like that, but at least Yuri followed him to JJ’s room without further protest.
His door was wide open and Isabella was perched on the bed, taking notes as JJ played his latest composition. A lump under the top bunk bed covers was the only indication that JJ’s roommate Otabek was home. His work as a DJ meant he kept strange hours (but apparently he could sleep through anything).
Before Leo could announce his presence, Yuri yanked the cord that connected the amp to the guitar. The music cut off with a buzz and JJ strummed one tinny chord before turning to investigate.
“No one wants to hear your shitty songs, Leroy,” Yuri growled.
Leo really didn’t see why Yuri had dragged him along if he was just going to be rude anyway.
“I do.” Isabella looked scandalized. “And they’re not shitty! The tension in the C section is masterful.”
Yuri rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. You two wouldn’t know a good song if it bit you on the ass.”
“It’s all right.” JJ addressed Isabella and not Yuri. “That’s about what I’d expect from someone who doesn’t even write their own music.”
“I’d like to see you play Sibelius, jackass!” Yuri looked like he was about to put down his violin and throw a punch.
Leo put up his arms. “Hey, we’re all musicians here. And Yuri needs to practice for his recital. Could you two work out a schedule so you can both practice?”
“I suppose if the primadonna can’t practice without total silence I can take my music to the people,” JJ said with a chuckle.
“Better take a fucking cup and busk till you can afford a decent songwriter. Should only take a couple centuries.” Yuri’s voice dripped with sarcasm. Glaring at Leo, he added, “Thanks for nothing, RA.”
And with that, he turned on his heel and stalked back to his room, opening and then slamming the door shut behind him.
At some point, Otabek had popped out from under his covers. He stared at the doorway but Leo couldn’t read his expression.
“I was on my way to band practice anyway.” JJ finished packing up his guitar and took Isabella’s hand. “I just wanted to run my new chord progression by the greatest musicologist in the world.”
“It’s very unique, JJ.” Her smile, like her compliment, was completely genuine. “I’m sorry some people can’t appreciate that.”
“I liked it, too,” Leo added. He wished JJ a good practice and headed back to his room. His coffee was probably getting cold.
Virtuosic violin had replaced the driving guitar riffs. Like he often did, Leo paused in front of Yuri’s room, not just to listen but to look at the other name on the door.
Of all the residents on his floor, Leo knew the least about Guang Hong Ji. He was a sophomore and a violist in the orchestra with Yuri.
Leo liked violin and Yuri was phenomenal, but Leo much preferred the lower, richer tones that drifted out of the room when Guang Hong practiced.
Or at least he assumed that was Guang Hong practicing. He only ever caught glimpses of the guy in the dining hall. Guang Hong never said hello to Leo or even looked him in the eye. The door to his and Yuri’s room was always closed.
Yuri seemed to actively hate Leo, but he seemed to hate everyone so Leo didn’t take it personally. Being a child prodigy must have been stressful. But for some reason, the idea that Guang Hong might hate him too churned in his stomach like a bad meal.
Maybe it was that cute dusting of freckles across Guang Hong’s cheeks, or that monster phone case he used, or how he ate his sweets with gusto when he thought no one was looking.
Leo sighed. His little crush wasn’t based on anything real. He had barely said two words to the guy, and Guang Hong had never said anything back.
With a sigh, Leo turned and walked right into another body. Pages of sheet music fluttered to the floor.
“I’m sorry, my bad,” Leo said automatically. But when he gathered his bearings, he found himself staring down into the deep brown eyes of none other than Guang Hong Ji.
Guang Hong stood frozen in the hallway, those freckled cheeks tinged red like a scene from Leo’s sweetest dream.
“I’m really sorry.” Leo tried to sound both casual and sincere, and he bent down to pick up the sheet music he had knocked out of Guang Hong’s hands. He didn’t recognize the piece, but he shuffled the papers back into a neat stack and offered it to Guang Hong. “I hope I didn’t get them too out of order.”
Guang Hong stared at him, apparently unable to speak. He accepted the sheet music but still didn’t move. What was he waiting for? Leo had already apologized twice. He wasn’t sure what more he could do.
“Didn’t hurt you, did I?” Leo asked. He had always been good at striking that tone of good natured humor, neither mocking nor patronizing, but Guang Hong was immune to his charm.
“Well, have a good evening,” Leo finally said. “My door’s always open if you need anything.”
Leo didn’t hear Guang Hong’s door open and close until he was back in his own room. Sighing, Leo retrieved his cold coffee and took a long drink. Maybe being an RA wasn’t so easy after all.