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Viktor has never cared much for group study spaces. They're loud, full of people pretending to be productive, and more often than not smell like someone spilled an energy drink behind the radiator weeks ago.
But there’s one exception.
Jayce Talis.
Engineering major. Bright-eyed, impossibly kind, and for some reason always ending up in Viktor’s orbit for one reason or the other.
The library is almost empty when Viktor arrives just hours before closing time. Jayce is already there, curled up at the table Viktor usually occupies but somehow became their table (not that he would admit that), laptop open, sleeves pushed up, brow furrowed.
“Didn’t think I’d see you here this late,” Jayce says as Viktor approaches, smiling in that easy way that makes Viktor feel like someone turned on a light inside him.
Viktor shrugs, dropping his battered satchel on the chair across from Jayce. “Didn’t think you’d still be awake. Isn’t your brain programmed to shut off after 8?”
Jayce chuckles. “That’s fair. But I couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe the library ghosts could help me finish my mechanics paper.”
“Mm. Highly doubt that,” Viktor says dryly. “Heard they were all literature majors.”
Jayce grins. “Then it’s a good thing you’re here, huh?”
That. That’s the problem. The way Jayce says things like that … like it’s nothing, like it doesn’t shatter Viktor’s calm piece by piece.
They work in comfortable silence for a while. Viktor scribbles in his notebook, Jayce mutters to himself at times.
At some point, Viktor even steals the hoodie Jayce has brought with him but discarded because he got too hot. Jayce does not comment. Viktor’s glare is enough to silence him. But his eyes do shine as Viktor pulls the too-large hoodie over his head.
Then, like always, Jayce breaks the quiet with some anecdote or the other.
“You ever think about how we basically live in this library together?” he asks, amused, casual.
Viktor doesn’t look up. “You’re saying we’re roommates now?”
Jayce bumps his foot against Viktor’s under the table. “Well… we share a space. We exchange snacks. You’ve stolen my pen like five times. Among other things,” he pointedly looks at the hoodie Viktor is wearing.
Viktor hums. “You leave it on this side of my table.”
Jayce grins. “You mean our table?”
Viktor raises a brow but doesn't argue. “You’re lucky I haven’t started charging rent for letting you sit here.”
“Please,” Jayce says, leaning back dramatically. “My snacks fuel your education.”
Viktor bites back a smile, eyes flicking up to meet his. “You’re not wrong. But I still expect tribute.”
Jayce leans in, voice a little softer. “I’ll bring extra tomorrow.”
Viktor looks away just long enough to steady the flutter in his chest. Then, quietly says, “Then maybe I’ll stop calling it my table.”
Jayce doesn’t say anything at first. Just smiles, wide and boyish and a little breathless. “Good,” he says, “Because it’s definitely ours.”
A moment passes in silence until Jayce speaks up again.
“Vik,” Jayce says. “Can I… ask something potentially stupid?”
Viktor makes the mistake of looking up. And god, Jayce is smiling , soft and warm and hopeful .
Viktor sighs, though his heart is thudding traitorously. “Go on.”
Jayce grins nervously. “Okay. Cool. Then… umm. If our next study session were a date… would you… want it to be?”
Viktor’s heart stops, then starts beating twice the speed.
And then Viktor, blushing despite himself, says, “Only if I get to steal your hoodie again.”
Jayce instantly beams. “You could’ve just said yes.”
Viktor grins back, mischievous and entirely too giddy inside. “Where’s the fun in that?”
***