Archive of Our Own

The city always woke before Fluixon Aculon did.

By the time the first rays of sunlight crawled over glass buildings and apartment balconies, the sidewalks were already alive with people chasing buses, coffee, deadlines, and lives they insisted they had under control.

Fluixon simply preferred to be ahead of all of them.

His mornings were identical: 5:30 A.M was his alarm to wake up, 5:35 A.M was his 5-minute grace period of mindlessly staring into the ceiling after waking up and perhaps stretch a little, 5:45 A.M was his cue to actually get off his bed and shower, 6:30 A.M was breakfast,  and 7:00 A.M was reserved for reviewing today's agenda, before he actually kicks it off and starts his days.

Every minute had a purpose. Every decision had already been made the night before; People who knew him would look at him in awe and call it perfect discipline. Although, people who actually knew him like his friends merely called it obsessive.

Fluixon didn't care what they called it, as long as things went according to plan, because he was the type of person who valued his priorities above all else—after all, if not him, who else would do his priorities?

—

Across town, someone else's alarm had been ringing for the past twenty minutes. Around this point, It might’ve woken up the entire dormitory that person was living in.

It kept ringing and ringing, like it was fighting a furious war and targeting a person that was on the run after they killed 7 world leaders.

Unfortunately, the alarm clock lost.

Buried underneath a mountain of blankets, clothes, and empty instant noodle cups, Saparata Theria blindly reached for his phone, not to check the time after he carelessly ignored his alarm, but to check whether someone had invited him somewhere.

No new messages.

He had the gall to look upset so early in the morning. "...Guess I'll make my own plans."

He tossed the phone onto the bed, stared at the ceiling for exactly three seconds, then abruptly sat up. "I should go somewhere." He immediately told himself.

Where? He had absolutely no idea.

That was the fun part.

His life wasn't measured in schedules or calendars. It was measured in stories. If someone asked him where he'd be tomorrow, he'd shrug. “I’m free all day.” And when that said someone asks him if he wants to accompany him somewhere—anywhere—he’d say yes in a heartbeat.

It didn’t matter who invited him—whether it was his close friends, acquaintances, or even strangers that simply found him handsome, as long as they seemed chill in Saparata’ eyes, he’d always go. After all, as the saying goes: “you only live once.”—who was he to deny opportunities to make his life even more fun than it already is?

Five minutes later, he was already outside wearing mismatched socks, a hoodie he definitely didn't remember buying, and enough confidence to convince strangers he knew exactly where he was going.

He didn't.

—

There was an old saying that opposites attract, but as we all know, reality was less romantic.

Opposites collided more than attracted, once someone meets someone who’s completely unlike them, it would usually create a disharmony in their individual lives, and because of that intrusion, they’ll keep colliding and colliding to revert their lives back to the way they were, not knowing that as they do so, they’re just digging a deeper hole that forces them back to each other.

And somewhere between perfectly organized calendars… ...and impulsive decisions made at 2:17 P.M in the afternoon...

between ‘Think about it.’ and ‘Just do it.’; ‘I'll regret this if I do.’ and ‘I'll regret this if I don't.’ was the beginning of a story neither of them had planned.

Especially Fluixon Aculon.

Because if there was one thing his schedule had never accounted for—It was Saparata Theria.

—

The universe had an interesting sense of humor, because on a morning where everything was going exactly as planned… It decided Fluixon Aculon had become just a little too comfortable.

8:37 A.M—Eighteen minutes before class.

Enough time to walk from his dorm to the accountancy building with approximately five minutes to spare, enough time to grab a bottle of water from the vending machine if the line wasn't long.

Enough time. Fluixon liked having enough time.

He walked through campus with practiced efficiency, weaving through students without slowing his pace. His backpack sat neatly against his shoulders, his phone displayed today's schedule, and every item on the list had already been mentally checked off before the day had properly begun.

Then—Someone stepped directly into his path.

Fluixon stopped so abruptly that the person behind him nearly bumped into his back.

The stranger blinked. "Oh." A grin spread across his face. "Perfect."

"...Excuse me?"

"Do you know where Room 314 is?"

Fluixon glanced toward the building across the courtyard. “...Of which building?”

The stranger blinked, as if he randomly forgot that their huge campus had different buildings per major. “The commerce building.” 

Fluixon replied smoothly. "Third floor. Left hallway."

"Nice." The stranger nodded. "...Thanks."

He turned around. And walked in the opposite direction.

Fluixon watched him for exactly three seconds, absolutely dumbfounded. "...You're going the wrong way."

"Hm?" The stranger looked over his shoulder. "Oh." He looked at the building Fluixon had pointed toward. Then at the path he was currently taking. "...Yeah."

He kept walking anyway.

Fluixon frowned. "...You asked for directions."

"I did."

"I just gave them to you."

"You did."

"And you're ignoring them."

"I guess I am."

For reasons Fluixon couldn't explain—even to himself—that answer irritated him more than it should have. "You're going to be late."

"So are a lot of people."

"That doesn't make it a good idea."

The stranger laughed. "You sound like my calendar."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"I didn't mean it as one."

Before Fluixon could respond, the stranger abruptly veered off the path. Straight toward a small hairless cat sleeping beneath a bench. "Oh, hey, buddy." He crouched without hesitation. The cat lazily blinked before accepting the scratches behind its ears.

Fluixon looked at his watch.

Four minutes. "...Are you serious?"

"Hm?"

"You have class."

"I know."

"And you're petting a cat."

"It's a very nice cat."

"...That's not the point."

"It kind of is." 

Fluixon let out a slow breath. "You're going to miss attendance."

"Definitely."

"And you're okay with that?"

The stranger shrugged. "If I miss it, I'll just catch the next one."

"There isn't a 'next one.'"

"There'll be another lecture."

"...Next week."

"See?"

He smiled as if he'd just solved the problem.

Fluixon stared at him. He genuinely couldn't tell if this person was joking or simply lived in an entirely different reality.

The stranger noticed the expression and chuckled. "You think too much."

"I think enough."

"Nah." He stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his hoodie. "You look stressed."

"I'm on time."

"Exactly."

"...What?"

"You're on time and you're still stressed."

Fluixon's jaw tightened. "I'm stressed because I've already wasted two minutes."

The stranger looked around dramatically. "Huh."

"What?"

"I don't see them."

"...See what?"

"The missing two minutes."

Fluixon pinched the bridge of his nose, he had to resist the urge to push this stranger towards incoming traffic after that horrendous reply. "That's not the point."

"I know, I just think you're making your life harder than it needs to be."

"I think you're making yours impossible."

The stranger gasped theatrically. "Ouch." Then he smiled. "I like you."

"I don't remember asking."

"I know."

"You keep talking anyway."

"I do."

Another glance at his watch.

Two minutes, his schedule was unraveling because of someone who seemed physically incapable of taking anything seriously. "I have to go."

"Alright." The stranger stepped aside with an exaggerated flourish, as though allowing royalty to pass. "Go save your precious schedule."

Fluixon walked past him without another word.

‘Finally.’

Maybe that would be the end of it.

"...Hey!" The stranger called.

Unfortunately, with how irritated Fluixon already was, he decided to ignore it and keep on speed-walking towards his building, doing exactly what the stranger said. ‘Saving his precious schedule.’ After all, nothing can stop Fluixon and his schedule, not even for any unplanned mishaps, and definitely not for him.

If he stopped now, he'd lose another minute. And he had already lost enough.

—

Behind him, Saparata slowed to a halt, the small silver house key dangling from his fingers. "...Huh."He looked from the key, then to the stranger’s rapidly disappearing figure. "...He's really not gonna turn around."

Most people would. If someone called after them, they'd at least glance back.

Yet the stranger didn't even hesitate. He just kept walking, shoulders squared, pace unwavering, as if acknowledging the interruption would somehow validate it.

Saparata couldn't help but laugh under his breath. "You're unbelievable."

He turned the key over in his hand. It wasn't anything special. Just a plain silver key attached to a small dark purple keychain. 

“The logical thing to do would be to drop it off at the campus lost and found.” Saparata murmured to himself.

That thought lasted exactly three seconds. "...Or..." His gaze drifted back toward the academic building where the stranger had disappeared.

A smile slowly spread across his face. "...I could wait."

He pictured it. The stranger leaving his class later. Patting his pockets. Checking his bag once. Then twice. Retracing every step of his day with military precision because something—one thing—had gone missing.

Something that absolutely hadn't been on today's schedule.

Saparata chuckled to himself. It wasn't that he wanted to make the guy's day worse.

Well… Maybe just a little.

Mostly, though… He was curious.

Curious about what someone like the unknown stranger—who he didn’t even know the name of yet—looked like when his perfectly arranged plans finally slipped through his fingers.

Saparata is a smart guy despite his mindset, and in the few minutes they'd spoken, he had learned one thing.

That interesting stranger hated surprises. He hated detours. He hated wasted time. And he hated people who disrupted either.

Saparata, unfortunately, happened to be all three.

"...Guess I'll give it back." He slipped the key into the pocket of his hoodie. "...Eventually."

Not because he wanted anything from him. Not because he expected a reward.

He just had a feeling...that this wouldn't be the last time their paths crossed.

And honestly? He hoped he was right.

—

Then, completely forgetting he was already late, Saparata continued toward Room 314.He stopped halfway there.

"...Wait." He stared at the room number on the sign. "...This is the Accountancy building."

Silence. "...Commerce is on the other side of campus."

He looked down to visually imagine the campus map on his head,  this wasn’t his first year the University of StateCiv, he knew that the accountancy and commerce building are at least six or seven minutes away from each other

A long pause occurred, then he looked up at the sky and laughed to himself. "Well..." He turned around. "Guess I'll get there eventually."

As he wandered off in the correct direction this time, one hand absentmindedly rested against the hoodie pocket where the silver key sat.

He'd only known the guy for a few minutes. Yet somehow… He already seemed to know how he’ll spend the rest of his boring day on. "...He's gonna hate me."

The thought should've discouraged him. Instead, it made him grin, because for some reason… That sounded like the beginning of something interesting.

—

The first thing Fluixon did after his last class ended wasn't check his phone, or buy lunch, or even leave the campus, like he initially planned in his mental calendar inside his head.

The first thing he did was checking his pockets; Left. Right. Back—Nothing. He proceeded to check his bag instead. The Front compartment. Pencil case. Laptop sleeve. Notebook pocket.

Nothing.

No. He checked again. The result remained stubbornly unchanged.

Nothing.

Fluixon only stupidly realized now that his apartment key was gone. 

For exactly two and a half seconds, Fluixon stood perfectly still.

Then he inhaled slowly, and calmly. Because panicking wouldn't solve anything.

He wasn't panicking. Absolutely not.

He was assessing the situation… Objectively. He mentally replayed his day: he left the apartment, walked to campus, went to the library, then the accountancy building, met a stupid stranger that derailed his schedule and pissed him off, morning lecture, considered buying lunch, and stopped because… of the situation presented right now.

A long beat of silence occurred as Fluixon kept replaying his day, then like a light-bulb just popped into his head, his thoughts screeched to a halt.

The stranger.

Yet the thought left as quick as it came—No. That had nothing to do with this. Probably. Maybe. He might’ve felt a little bit pissed at the stranger, but even he would feel guilty if he blamed his own mishap on someone else. 

For someone so hellbent on memorizing his priorities before the day even started, losing an item as important as the literal key to his apartment felt like getting murdered by a diamond axe.

And then, Fluixon got another brilliant idea—The lost and found.

He nodded to himself for thinking of such a great solution. If his key fell, then someone must've turned it in. That was the logical conclusion, after all, he remembered when Thomas lost his ridiculously expensive T-square and cried over it before realizing someone left it on the lost and found.

With that, Fluixon headed straight toward the Accountancy building's office. When he got there, he immediately greeted the staff behind the desk "Hi," he said, keeping his voice level. "Has anyone turned in a house key today?"

The staff member checked the small tray behind the desk.

"No, sorry."

A small beat of silence. "I see." He smiled politely. "Thank you."

"Maybe try the main campus office?"

"I will." He nodded once before walking out, the office door clicked shut behind him.

The smile disappeared immediately.

Not there. Not there. Not there—He looked at his watch out of habit before realizing there was nothing on today's schedule that accounted for losing the only key to his apartment.

As far as he remembered, his landlord was out of town, and his spare key… was left inside the apartment.

Wonderful. Fluixon rubbed a hand over his face, the one time he didn’t consider bringing his spare key because it was just uselessly used space inside his bag, was the time he actually needed it.

Before Fluixon fully immersed himself in a full mental breakdown, a familiar voice called out to him. "Hey."

Fluixon closed his eyes at that, deliberately ignoring it for a full minute—He knows that voice, and he knows it was not familiar enough to be one of his friends.

Oh sweet Ish, Not now. Not him. Anyone but him.

"...Hey." The familiar stranger tried again, albeit his tone sounded like he had to hold back a snort.

Fluixon opened his eyes again after the full minute.  And unfortunately… It was him.

The same stranger from that morning leaned casually against the low wall outside the building, waving like they'd agreed to meet. "Fancy seeing you again."

Fluixon wasn't in the mood. "What do you want?"

"Ouch." The stranger clutched his chest dramatically. "Not even a hello?"

"No."

"...Fair." He pushed himself off the wall. "You look grumpier than this morning."

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't."

The stranger shook his head, remaining stubborn on his belief. "You've got this little..." He gestured vaguely toward Fluixon's face.

"...What little?"

"The one that says you're one inconvenience away from filing a complaint against the universe."

Fluixon stared. "...Move."

"So that's a yes." The stranger said cheekily.

"I said move."

He did not move, instead, the stranger tilted his head. "You lose something?"

Fluixon's eyes narrowed. "...Why?" He asked suspiciously.

The stranger actually paused for a bit before replying with a shrug. "No reason… You just look like someone searching for something."

Fluixon didn’t confirm that, but he didn’t deny it either.

The stranger took it as cue that he was right. "A wallet?" He questioned.

"No."

"Your phone?" He continued.

"No."

A small pause, before a small grin formed on his face. "...Your sanity?"

Fluixon instinctively furrowed his brows and squinted his eyes at that, feeling a vein pop on his forehead out of frustration.

The stranger snickered at his silence, "Ooh." he snapped his fingers. "So that's what it is."

"I am leaving." Fluixon stepped past him.

…Or atleast, he tried to. "...Wait." The stranger reached into the pocket of his hoodie.

Fluixon turned around to face him again and froze.

A familiar black keychain dangled from two fingers.

…His key, that he was so (not) desperately for earlier.

For the first time all day—his composure cracked. "...That's mine."

"I know." The stranger confirmed it casually. "You dropped it earlier when we met." He added.

Fluixon remained silent because he could not believe the sheer audacity of this stranger, he reached for it immediately.

The stranger casually lifted his hand higher in response. "Nope."

"...Give it." Fluixon grumbled, he only realized now that the stranger had freakishly long legs and arms—great, not only was he dealing with the most annoying person alive, but he also seemed to have inherited the genetics of slenderman.

"I will." The stranger teased. "...In a second."

Fluixon frowned. "Give it to me now.”

“Nope.” He replied quickly, popping the ‘p’ at the end of it.

"What is wrong with you?" 

The stranger blinked. "...Probably a lot of things."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

"No sane person keeps someone else's house key." Fluixon reasoned with him.

The stranger shrugged his shoulders again at that. "I was going to give it back."

Fluixon scoffed. "You should've taken it to the lost and found."

"I thought about it."

"And?"

"I got curious."

A small pause occurred, Fluixon tilted his head at that. "...Curious?"

The stranger nodded as if that explained everything. "I wanted to see you again."

Silence.

"...What?"

"I had a feeling you'd come looking for it." The stranger explained. "...And I was right—well, It wasn't exactly hard to predict."

Fluixon looked at him in complete disbelief. "You intentionally kept my key."

"Mhm."

"....So that you could find me."

"Technically..." The stranger pointed at him. "...You found me."

Fluixon pinched the bridge of his nose, he felt like he was going to lose his mind—No, he had already lost it, apparently somewhere between the first period and now. "...You're unbelievable."

"I've been told."

"You realize I spent the past hour looking for this."

"I do."

"I went to the office."

"I figured."

"I thought I'd have to call my landlord."

"I also figured."

"You—" Words failed him when he realized the ridiculous expression on the stranger’s face. "...You're smiling."

"I am." The stranger simply watched, entirely too amused. 

"Why?"

"Because you're kind of funny."

"I am not."

"You are."

"I'm upset."

"I know."

"And you're laughing."

"I know."

Fluixon exhaled sharply. "...I don't understand you."

The stranger smiled. "I don't think you're supposed to."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The afternoon breeze stirred the trees lining the courtyard. Students wandered past without paying either of them much attention.

The stranger looked down at the key in his hand. Then back at Fluixon.

His smile softened, “Okay, fine… I’ll give it to you.” He sighed, as if he was admitting defeat.

Fluixon’s dark purple eyes actually lit up at that, but it quickly dimmed when the stranger held his pointer up. “...On one condition.”

Fluixon had to resist the urge to lunge at him and actually choke him to death. “What could you possibly want from me now after the inconvenience you just caused?

The stranger actually had to gall to laugh at his reaction. “Chill!” He said while giggling, he raised his hands up to plea innocence.

“All I want is…” He started. “...Your name.

Fluixon blinked once, then twice. “...Are you serious?” 

The stranger rolled his eyes, as if he expected Fluixon’s reaction. “Do you not want me to be? ‘Cause if so, then I have this homework that involves minor accounting and I’m assuming you’d know a lot about that—”

“Fluixon.” He interrupted the stranger before he let him add another unplanned thing in his beautiful schedule. “Fluixon Aculon.”

Out of instinct, Fluixon raised his hand to offer a handshake. The stranger seemed surprised at the gesture, before he smiled so brightly Fluixon was sure he could blind him.

“Pretty name for a pretty face,” He murmured, and before Fluixon could process what he just said and think too much of it, The stranger took his hand and shook it gently. “Saparata Theria, you can just call me Saparata, though.”

‘His hand is warm.’ Fluixon noted, before blinking and immediately erasing that unwelcome thought in his head, he simply nodded in response to Saparata’ introduction.

“Okay,” Fluixon stated, before he held his hand out again. “Now, give me my key.”

Saparata pouted at that, “Do you not have a nickname I can call you? Your name’s kind of a mouthful, y’know.”

Fluixon stared, “...It’s like, two syllables.” He deadpanned.

“My point still stands.” Saparata hummed, before he snapped his fingers, “I know, I’ll just call you Fluixon!” He chirped happily, from the look on his face, he seemed to think that the nickname was very unique, something only he could think of.

Fluixon sighed, unimpressed. “Congrats, that’s also the nickname all my close friends call me.” 

Saparata stared, and then dramatically gasped. “WHAT!? Then why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?” He whined.

Fluixon narrowed his eyes from the sheer loudness of the latter’s voice. “We’re not close.” He bluntfully reasoned.

Saparata merely shook his head, Fluixon thought he’d be offended at that, but based from the forming grin on his face, it seemed he was wrong.

"...Here." Saparata chose to say instead, as he held Fluixon’s apartment key within reach.

This time, when Fluixon reached for it, Saparata actually let it go. No teasing, nor did he consider pulling it away. Just the cool weight of the key settling into Fluixon's palm.

Almost instantly, Fluixon closed his fingers around it, as if making sure it couldn't disappear again.

"There." Saparata stuffed his hands into his hoodie pocket. "Your day can go back to being perfectly organized."

Fluixon looked down at the key. "...It won't."

"Hm?"

"It already wasn't." He muttered lowly, and Saparata seems to have gotten what he was implying. For the first time, he didn't have an immediate joke.

Instead, he looked at Fluixon for a second longer than before. Then he scratched the back of his neck. "...Sorry." He said sincerely.

It wasn't dramatic. Or exaggerated. Just... genuine.

Fluixon studied him; He'd expected another grin. Another sarcastic remark. Another excuse.

…Not an apology. "...Don't do it again." Was all Fluixon had to say.

The stranger's smile slowly returned. "I'll try."

"...That doesn't sound convincing."

"It isn't." Saparata admitted honestly.

Against every instinct telling him to walk away… The corner of Fluixon's mouth twitched—barely. It wasn't enough to actually form a smile. Not quite.

But it was enough for Saparata to notice, his eyes lit up when he saw it. "There it is."

Fluixon immediately straightened his expression. "...There was nothing."

"There definitely was."

"You imagined it."

"If you say so."

Fluixon rolled his eyes. "...You're still annoying." He huffed.

Saparata laughed. "And you're still too serious." He retorted back.

They both already got what they wanted, and yet, neither of them moved,  they didn’t really know why either.

Fortunately or not, they’ll figure it out very soon.

—

A week passed without Fluixon Aculon and Saparata Theria encountering each other—Not because either of them was trying to avoid the other, nor because either of them was trying to meet again.

Life simply... continued.

For Fluixon, it was exactly as it always had been: Monday, Classes. Study. Review. Sleep; Tuesday, Classes. Study. Group meeting. Sleep; Wednesday, Repeat.

Every day fit neatly into its assigned place, each hour accounted for before it even began.

Everything had returned to normal… Mostly.

There were moments—brief, inconvenient moments—when his thoughts wandered.

Usually while waiting for the elevator, or while standing in line at the campus café, or even whenever he passed the courtyard with the orange cat.

He'd remember a boy grinning at him like being late was a personality trait.

Then he'd sigh—’Annoying.’ He’d always think. He never lingered on the thought, as he always went back to whatever he was doing, because that was what he was used to, always prioritizing his priorities no matter what.

—

Across campus… Saparata Theria also lived his life the way it usually was; He still woke up whenever his alarm eventually won. Still forgot where he left half his belongings. Still managed to be late despite leaving early. Still somehow passed his quizzes with the miraculous power of "I'll figure it out.", all because he risked it all to go to a party held by a mutual of  a mutual, and of another mutual.

Life was good.

Though… Every now and then—He'd see someone walking unusually fast across campus, then someone checking their watch every five minutes, and then a student carrying color-coded binders.

…His brain would immediately supply the same face.

Fluixon Aculon.

He'd grin to himself. "I wonder if he's still timing his breathing." He’d always think, then he'd forget about it again.

Until the next reminder.

It wasn't often. Just… More often than he'd expected.

—

The following day… The university library was unusually quiet.

Not silent. Just... comfortably alive. Pages turned. Keyboards clicked. The air conditioner hummed softly overhead.

Fluixon liked the library; People here respected silence, they respected time, and more importantly… Nobody usually had the gall to try to have conversations with strangers.

Exactly how a library should be.

He flipped another page in his reviewer. He had fifty-five minutes until his next class, which was enough time to finish one chapter or two.

It was perfect.

—

Saparata’ phone vibrated inside his pocket, following a small ‘ping!’ sound that indicated a new message, he looked up from his phone—half-expecting that it would be an invitation to another party.

Unfortunately, all he saw was his sweet sister's contact with three new messages.

Jophiel:

Can you go to the Arts and Letters section? I need the Communication textbook. 

Jophiel:

Third shelf. Blue cover.

Jophiel:

Please don't get distracted.

He frowned dramatically at the message. "...She knows me too well." 

With a theatrical sigh, he slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked towards the direction of the library—Jophiel should thank him because fortunately, he was already close to the library.
Once he tapped his ID at the entrance’s scanner, Saparata immediately wandered toward the opposite wing of the library.

Arts and Letters… Arts and Letters… Communication… Saparata continuously scanned the shelves. "Hm..." He hummed, surprisingly concentrated.

He found the section eventually, all he needed was the Blue cover. “Blue cover… Blue cover.. Blue—” his incessant mumbling came to a halt as eyes drifted away from the books.

"...No way." He uttered in disbelief

Several tables away sat a familiar figure—Perfect posture. Neatly stacked books. Highlighter uncapped. Phone placed exactly parallel to the edge of the table.

"..." A smile slowly spread across Saparata's face. "...Well."

He looked back at the bookshelf, then at the stranger—No. Not a stranger anymore.

At Fluixon Aculon.

"...The book can wait." He ultimately decided, as his feet instinctively started moving right away.

—

Fluixon sensed someone approaching before he looked up.

Footsteps. Unhurried. Confident. Stopping directly across from his table.

"...You know." That voice. "I was beginning to think you scheduled me out of your life."

Fluixon closed his eyes. "...You wouldn’t be wrong."

A quiet snort emerged from Saparata. "Wow, You didn't even try to at least lie for a little."

"I didn’t want to." Fluixon shrugged.

Saparata slid into the chair across from him without asking. "Do you mind?"

"Yes." Was Fluixon’s immediate response.

"...I'm gonna sit anyway." He set his backpack beside the chair before resting his chin on his hand. "So..."

"What?"

"You still hate me?"

Fluixon didn't even have to think. "Yes."

"Ouch."

"You asked."

"I appreciate the honesty."

Fluixon looked back down at his notes. "I was studying."

"I can see that." Saparata merely hummed,  "So..." He started once more. "What're you studying?"

Fluixon glanced above just to look at him, "...Financial accounting."

Saparata stared blankly. "...That sounds miserable."

"It isn't."

"It absolutely is."

"It isn't if you enjoy it."

"...You enjoy accounting?" Saparata questioned, like that was such an impossible thing to do.

Fluixon nodded slowly, "I do." He confirmed, though he also can’t blame Saparata’ reaction, since he had a similar one during freshman year—when he was still mourning the fact he couldn’t pursue his true love—Architecture.

Saparata blinked. "...That's actually terrifying."

Fluixon tilted his head at that. "You skipped class to pet a cat."

Saparata’ didn’t even try to deny it. "True."

"You also intentionally kept my key for the love of the game."

"Also true."

"You have no right to judge my hobbies." Fluixon grumbled, his brows slightly furrowed.

"...Fair point." A quiet laugh escaped Saparata. Not loud enough to disturb anyone. Just enough for Fluixon to hear.

Saparata pointed at the open reviewer. "I just can't imagine willingly reading all that."

"I can't imagine willingly missing class." Fluixon retorted.

Saparata pouted at that, "I usually don't willingly miss it." He defended himself. "I just accidentally make other decisions first."

"...That's worse."

"It depends who you ask."

"It doesn't."

"You know..." Saparata leaned back in his chair, opting to change the topic. "I've been thinking."

"I find that hard to believe."

Saparata actually blinked at that, speechless at the interruption, and before he could restrain himself, he let out an actual chuckle. "...See?" He huffed. "You can be funny and not serious all the time!”

"I'm not trying to be." Fluixon deadpanned

"I know." Saparata said, because  that somehow made it funnier. After a brief pause, Saparata glanced around the library, going back to his initial question. "Do you really not do anything else, like, going to parties maybe?" He asked curiously..

Fluixon narrowed his eyes at that. "Absolutely not.”

Saparata grimaced at that, “Okay, no need to be so harsh, I’m just asking because personally, I would’ve went insane in this place.” He gestured at the library.

"Don’t be dramatic.”

"I’m not dramatic, I really would've.” He remained stubborn. “Honestly, I would’ve lasted maybe..." He looked at the wall clock. "...Eight minutes."

"You've already been here for twelve minutes." Fluixon noted before he could stop himself from doing so.

The response was so unbelievably quick it actually left Saparata quite speechless. "...Huh."

Fluixon stared at him. "What?”

"...That's... Uh…” Was Saparata’ intelligent reply, his cheeks and ear dusting pink, before he shook his head and regained his composure “...Nothing, I just didn’t expect you to like, keep track of the time.” 

A brief pause occurred, as if Fluixon only registered how embarrassing that was right now. "...I always keep track of my time." He reasoned, but he couldn’t help his cheeks from turning pink as well.

Another silence settled between them. Oddly… It wasn't uncomfortable.

Saparata idly spun a pencil between his fingers. Fluixon returned to highlighting his notes. Neither felt the need to fill every second with conversation.

Eventually… Saparata spoke again. "You know..."

"Hm?"

"One day you're gonna regret studying this much."

Fluixon didn't even look up. "No I won’t."

"You will." Saparata berated him. "You'll wake up one morning and realize you forgot to actually enjoy your university life."

Fluixon capped his highlighter. "And you'll wake up one morning realizing the real world doesn't accept ‘good vibes’ as credentials for work."

“Pfft, at least I got to enjoy my youth buried in yummy drinks rather than books.” Saparata reasoned. 

Fluixon visibly grimaced at that, “That doesn’t sound as appealing as you think it does.”

Saparata shrugged, "Don’t judge it before you actually got to try it—actually, have you ever tried alcohol?”

Fluixon visibly shuddered, he tried it once, when he freshly turned eighteen years old, his sister Cynikka made him chug vodka out of all the possible drinks he could’ve tasted first, he still remembers how much he hated the bitter taste. “I have.”

“Wow, from your reaction alone, I doubt you tried the good type of drinks.” Saparata grinned. "Still, if you ever change your mind and wanna actually live your life, I’m undoubtedly free, every time, any time, and all the time.”

Fluixon simply blinked at the offer, before he dismissed the thought with a single wave of his hand. “I have no need for such offer.”

“Damn, at least I tried.” Saparata sighed in defeat, “I still think you'll regret it, though." He added, referring to his comment about Fluixon’s habit of  studying too much earlier.

Fluixon met his gaze. "And I think you'll regret not studying enough." Is what he decided to fire back instead.

That comment particularly left Saparata speechless once more, "...Touché."

For once… Neither argued. Because neither believed the other was entirely wrong.

Just… Incomplete.

A sharp vibration broke the silence, Saparata pulled out his phone.

Jophiel:

Where are you?

Jophiel:

I needed that book ten minutes ago.

Jophiel:

Don't tell me you got distracted.

He winced. "...Uh-oh."

Fluixon raised an eyebrow. "Something happened?"

"...How'd you know?"

"You look guilty."

Saparata snorted "...Fair, but It’s just my sister " He stood, slinging his backpack over one shoulder. "I should probably rescue Future Me before she kills Present Me."

"You should." Fluixon nodded, before he went back to his notes once more.

With that, Saparata took two steps away, until he suddenly stopped, and turned back around. "Oh."

"What?" 

Saparata stepped closer to Fluixon, crouching down to face him at his eye-level. "Your number."

Fluixon blinked, unused to the sudden proximity. "...No."

"C'mon." Saparata whined.

"No."

"What if you lose something important again?" Saparata tried to convince him.

Fluixon deadpanned at that horrible excuse, "You were the reason I lost something important."

"Exactly. You got it back because I’m such a good samaritan that kept it for you to get back!” He explained, and just from his tone, you could tell that he actually believes what he’s saying. "So now we're even. And you give me your phone number to prevent those mishaps from happening again."

Fluixon focused on his first sentence instead. "We're not even."

"Almost."

"No."

Saparata clasped his hands together dramatically. "Please?"

"No." Fluixon merely repeated.

"I'll stop interrupting your study sessions." Saparata offered. 

"...I don't believe you."

Saparata looked away, "Heh, yeah you shouldn't." He admitted, before coming up with another excuse. "But I’ll text first to ask if I can interrupt your study sessions, so that you can preciously add it to your schedule and planner." He said, and Fluixon had to accept it since Saparata so kindly considered his schedule.

Fluixon let out a long and slow sigh. The kind of sigh reserved for accepting unavoidable consequences. "...Fine."

"Yes!" Saparata exclaimed a little too loudly.

Fluixon hushed him, before he warned him. "But if you start sending me nonsense—"

"Oh, I'm absolutely sending nonsense." Saparata didn’t even try to deny it.

"Ugh, why do I even bother?” Fluixon scoffed, but despite saying that… He still unlocked his phone. A minute later, both of their contacts were saved.

Saparata looked absurdly pleased with himself. "I'll see you around, Fluixon."

"I sincerely hope not."

"Liar."

"...Go get the book."

"Right." He saluted with far too much enthusiasm before jogging toward the Arts and Letters shelves.

This time… He actually picked up the blue Communication textbook.

—

Silence returned.

Fluixon looked back down at his notes. He read the same sentence three times. None of it registered.

He frowned. Checked the time.

Thirty-one minutes. Gone. He stared at his planner. ‘2:00–2:30 — Chapter 6 Review.’ It was unchecked.

Instead… He'd spent those thirty minutes talking to Saparata Theria.

His carefully planned study session had disappeared. Again. Because of him.

Fluixon closed his planner. He should've been annoyed. He was annoyed. At least… He thought he was. Yet as he packed away his notes, another thought quietly slipped in—One he dismissed almost immediately.

‘...Thirty minutes wasn't that bad.’

He frowned at himself. "...No." Absolutely not—to avoid the thought from appearing again, he picked up his bag and headed for his next class. 

Tomorrow's schedule would make up for today's. It always did. Or at least… That was what he led himself to believe.

—

A few days after the library… Fluixon Aculon came to a rather unfortunate realization. Saparata Theria texted exactly the way he spoke.

His phone vibrated.

Saparata:

do fish get thirsty

Fluixon stared at the notification. He locked his phone.A few seconds later—

Saparata:

nevermind apparently yes, I searched it up

Saparata:

kinda disappointing honestly

Fluixon sighed, Without opening the messages, he slid his phone face-down onto the table.

Across from him, Thomas looked up from his laptop. "...You're not gonna answer?"

Fluixon blinked at that, he didn’t realize they noticed the notifications he’s been receiving. "No."

Pili glanced over. "Who's been texting you for the last five minutes?"

Fluixon didn’t want to answer that—at least, not yet, considering how well he knew that his friends would never let him live it down. "...No one."

Rotation snorted. "Someone has to be texting you for your phone to vibrate."

"No one important." Fluixon emphasized

Seraphim slowly lowered the pen she'd been twirling between her fingers.

Fluixon glanced over at her. "...What?"

She smiled. "...Nothing."

"...You're lying." He deadpanned.

Seraphim didn’t even plan on denying it, shrugging her shoulders. "I am."

Gotoga looked between the two of them. "...What am I missing?"

Seraphim leaned forward conspiratorially. "Our dear Fluixon."

Fluixon already didn't like where this was going.

She poked his cheek while talking, "...Has been smiling at his phone."

"I have not." Fluixon immediately swatted at Seraphim, to which she immediately dodged anyway.

"...Wait." Thomas frowned. "You smiled?"

"I didn't."

Pili nodded. "You kinda did."

"I absolutely did not."

Rotation crossed his arms. "I've known you for two years."

"So?"

"I can count on one hand the number of times you've smiled."

Before he could retort, he received another vibration. Everyone's eyes immediately shifted toward the phone.

Fluixon resisted the urge to hide it.

"...Answer it." Thomas urged him, a grin plastered on his face. 

"No." was his immediate reply.

"It could be important." Rotation hummed. 

"It isn't."

Pili snorted at that, "How do you know?"

"...Because I know who it is."

Seraphim's grin widened, like they finally caught the fish they’ve been baiting. "Oh?"

Fluixon only processed his answer now and realizes that he honestly took the bait so stupidly. He mentally notes to curse Seraphim and his friends out before he goes to bed later.

She rested her chin on her hand. "So there is someone."

"There isn't." Fluixon immediately denied.

It was Gotoga’s’ turn to be an annoying idiot. "There literally is." He retorted, “They literally texted you right now.”

"I meant—" He stopped, once he came to a realization. "...You're all twisting my words."

"We're listening to your words." Thomas nodded thoughtfully. "So… Who is it?"

Fluixon sighed, when their group’s bickering lasts this long, he already knew he had no way out but to confess. "...A Commerce student."

Silence.

Then, all at once—"That's it?" From Seraphim; "That's your mysterious texter?" From Pili; "What's his name?" From Thomas; "How'd you meet?" From Rotation; "Why's he texting you?" From Gotoga—and they kept bombarding him that it actually made Fluixon’s head hurt from overstimulation.

Fluixon rubbed his temples. "...One question at a time."

Seraphim was practically glowing. "Start with the name." She suggested.

"...Saparata." Fluixon said quietly, as if the name itself was a sacred thing to say.

Fluixon did not appreciate their sudden silence, though. It actually scared him.

“...Hello? Earth to the Conspiracy?” He huffed, waving his hand a little at all of their faces.

They blinked simultaneously, Pili was the one who spoke up first. “Saparata… Theria?” He questioned oddly.

Fluixon’s eyes actually widened at that, “How did you know that?” He hadn’t realized he said his thoughts out loud.

“Dude.” Rotation blinked, “He’s like… one of the most popular guys in our batch.” He explained.

Fluixon blinked, “...Really?” He said dumbly.

“Didn’t his Ishtok video go viral once?” Gotoga chirped, “I swear they included that guy and his twin brother in a video that showcased our university’s… baddies, or whatever.”

Seraphim snorted at that, “Yeah and Snowbird was so pissed ‘cause he wasn’t included.”, Snowbird was also a very close friend of Fluixon—actually, now that he thought about it, weren’t Saparata and Snowbird cousins? He vaguely remembered when Snowbird said he was staying overnight at the Theria Household. 

…Huh, Fluixon Aculon is undeniably smart, but even he’s shocked he forgot about such important information—In his defense, he could care less about those type of semantics, If it’s not in his planner, then it’s not Fluixon’s business to think about it.

While Fluixon was lost in his thoughts, Seraphim kept talking. “Y’know, I remember submitting a video of Fluixon to that account, and the account cried because they had to deny it since it wasn’t a video filmed by Fluixon himself.” She recalled.

So many stories were being told that Fluixon mentally felt his brain shut down. “Okay, pause–why in the living Ish would you do that—” Fluixon was interrupted before he could keep on complaining.

“—Anyway! How did you even befriend Saparata, Fluixon?” Thomas asked as he leaned back in his chair. “No offense because you’re my bestest friend in the whole wide world and I promise I love you—”

“Gross.” Fluixon mumbled in between Thomas’ sentences, knowing that Thomas wouldn’t be able to retort while explaining.

“—But you and saparata are basically like...” He gestured to his hands, they were a bit far apart. “...Polar opposites, y’know? I honestly thought you wouldn’t associate yourself with someone like him.”

Fluixon opted to reply with something vague, “...It’s a long story.” He sighed, because he’s too tired to talk about it right now, especially because his schedule of hanging out with his friends and studying in peace got sabotaged by Saparata Theria again.

All his priorities are crumbling before his very own eyes because of him, he doesn’t want to acknowledge it yet though.

“...What the Ish, sure.” Thomas accepted the response, since he noticed that Fluixon’s silence most likely means that his thoughts are all over the place. "So long story short… You befriended Saparata Theria and liked him enough to give him your number." He concluded.

Fluixon perked up at that, his cheeks instinctively turning pink, “He insisted."

“You still gave it, though.” Pili reminded him, “And knowing you, you must’ve wanted to, if he was able to convince you.."

"I didn't." He denied.

"You also tolerate him enough to not leave him at mute?” Rotation huffed.

Fluixon glared at Rotation, “Oh, now you’re just bringing that up because of the time I muted you to—”

“—Because I’m still hurt! I almost couldn’t submit my assignment because you wouldn’t answer my questions!” Rotation whined. 

Seraphim laughed at the bickering. "Oh, Fluixon." She shook her head knowingly.

"What." Fluixon narrowed his eyes at Seraphim.

Seraphim leaned in teasingly, "I think he likes you."

Fluixon blinked once. "...No."

“Wow, no hesitation at all.” Gotoga snorted.

"Because the answer is no." Fluixon emphasized

"You don't know that." Thomas added in.

Fluixon replied immediately, "I do."

"How?" Thomas pushed further.

Fluixon stayed silent after that, realizing that he’s once again been cornered by all of his friends. Goodness, If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve thought he’s talking to the police with all these unnecessary questions.

"...He intentionally stole my house key." He finally admitted, opting to tell the story after he realized there’s no backing out of this topic anymore.

The table fell silent. Pili frowned. "...He what?"

"He gave it back… Eventually." Fluixon immediately replied—for a mere second, he wondered why he defended Saparata so quickly.

…He decided not to indulge that thought right now.

The whole table fell silent once more, before Rotation coughed awkwardly, "...That somehow raised more questions."

"It should." Seraphim huffed.

Fluixon reached for his notebook. "We have a case study due." He reminded all of them.

They all simultaneously sighed at that, but Thomas looked unconvinced. "We're not done talking about the Commerce guy."

"I am." Fluixon said matter-of-factly.

And with horrible coincidence, once he thought the conversation was finally over. Another buzz vibrated on Fluixon’s phone.

Fluixon glanced down instinctively; Saparata sent him a picture of the same bald cat that he petted during their first interaction, you could see half of Saparata’ face in the picture, as the picture focused more on the cat.

Saparata:

Joseph says hi

His lips twitched—barely, almost imperceptibly, even. But—"There!" Seraphim pointed so fast she nearly dropped her pen. "He smiled!"

"I did not." Fluixon was quick to deny it.

"You absolutely smiled!" Seraphim argued.

"I didn't."

Thomas laughed. "...He smiled." He agreed with Seraphim.

Then, each one of his friends shared their annoying comments; Pili covered his face. "This is historic.", Rotation looked genuinely amazed. "I've never seen this.", Gotoga nodded solemnly. "We should document today."

"There is nothing to document." Fluixon said with utmost frustration.

"There is." Thomas pulled out his phone. "I'm taking a picture."

"No, you're not—"

—

Meanwhile, somewhere else on campus… Saparata was lying across two chairs outside the Commerce building.

Cass walked over carrying two iced coffees. "...Who're you texting?"

"No one." Saparata dismissed effectively.

Cass rolled her eyes, not believing a single word as he handed him one of the drinks. "You've smiled at your phone like..." She squinted. "...Five times."

"I smile all the time." Saparata shrugged.

Cass shook her head. "Not like that."

Saparata tilted his head at that, finally looking at her. "...Like what?"

"...Like you're waiting." Cass simply stated.

Saparata looked at her. "...Am I?"

"You tell me." Cass retorted

Before he could answer—His phone buzzed. He immediately looked down.

Fluixon:

Tell Joseph I said hi too.

Saparata sat upright so fast he nearly spilled his drink. "He replied!"

Cass blinked. "...Who's 'he?'"

Oh, Saparata hadn’t realized he said that out loud. "My accountant." He answered before he could think about it.

Cass blinked once, then twice. "...Your what?"

Okay, that was a horrible answer that raised more questions. "The accountancy guy." Saparata corrected himself.

"...Since when do you have an accountancy guy?" Cass said in utter disbelief.

"...I don't."

"You literally just called him your accountancy guy."

"I meant…” He gestured helplessly. “Just an accountancy guy that I know."

"...Mhm." Cass smiled into her drink. Conveniently, that was when Snowbird wandered over. "What're you two talking about?"

Cass answered before Saparata could. "Apparently he has an accountancy guy now."

Snowbird raised an eyebrow. "...Wait, an accountancy guy?"

Cass nodded. "Mhm."

“What’s his name?” Snowbird asked a little too sharply, as he raised his brows to look at his cousin.

Saparata blinked, “...Fluixon.”

“Fluixon Aculon?” Snowbird gaped.

"You know him?" Saparata questioned honestly, Snowbird looked at him like he was the dumbest person alive.

“...Dude, he’s been one of my closest friends since freshman year.” He deadpanned.

Saparata blinked at that new information, “...Woah.” was all he had to say.

“You’re such a huge chud.” Snowbird scoffed, then as if on cue, Schpood appeared beside Cass with Jophiel.

“Yo,” Schpood greeted, “What’s all the buzz around here?”

Cass was the one who replied, “Mr. Theria over here has the hots for an accountancy major named Fluixon.”

Saparata nearly spit his coffee out at that horrible summary, “Excuse me—”

Schpood interrupted him loudly before he could even reply. “The Aculon guy?” He gasped.

Snowbird nodded, and Schpood sighed so loudly and draped his hand over Saparata’ shoulder heavily. “Dude, you’re taste in men is so bad, that guy looks like he'd schedule his bathroom breaks."

Saparata couldn’t hold his laugh as he nearly choked on his coffee. "...HE DOES!"

"See?" Schpood hummed approvingly, he liked that he was right, "I told you!" He suddenly told Jophiel that was sitting there quietly beside him, shaking her head.

“I still don’t get your frustration with the Aculon twins just because of that.” she huffed.

Before Saparata could even begin to question how his sister and Schpood seemed to know Fluixon and his twin—wait, he had a twin?—He was suddenly bombarded by Cass.

“So… What’s he like?" Cass hummed curiously.

Saparata looked down at the short text message on his screen. ‘Tell Joseph I said hi too.’, It was hard to pretend like that wasn’t one of the cutest texts he’s ever received. 

A beat. Then another, until a slow grin spread across his face. "...He's interesting."

Schpood snorted. "The guy who color-codes his notes?"

"Mhm."

"He scolds people for being late." Snowbird shuddered, as if he has personally experienced it himself.

"Mhm." was all Saparata had to say.

Cass folded her arms. "...Do you like him?"

Saparata answered so quickly it surprised even himself. "...Yeah." Then, realizing what he'd just said—"...As a person."

Cass smirked. "Mhm."

"He's fun to bother—and he  gets all grumpy like a cat, y’know?." He chuckled, his voice cracking nervously midway.

"Mhm." Cass repeated.

"And then he still answers me anyway."

The four all exchanged one look at the same time. None of them said anything, they didn't need to. Because for someone who claimed to live without plans… Saparata had started making one.

Almost every day. It wasn't written in a planner. Or a calendar. Or a to-do list.

It was much simpler than that.

Text Fluixon.

Then, Jophiel suddenly spoke up, “Hold on,” She started.

Suddenly, Saparata could feel a shiver down his spine, like it was telling him he’s gonna be in trouble real soon.

“If you’ve known him for a while… Was he the one you told me you talked to at the library?” She squinted her eyes at him, “The reason you took so long to get me one single textbook for an assignment I had that was due in 3 hours?”

Saparata Theria suddenly thought that the weather was unbelievably nice today.

“Oh for the love of Ish, Saparata Theria. I will literally—”

Saparata Theria also decided that the weather was so nice, he wanted to impulsively run around the campus to avoid the wrath of her sister—and because he’s someone who valued impulsivity over planned happenings like a certain someone, he did just as exactly that.

—

Saparata Theria was still alive after that situation, and he lived long enough to live his future months successfully with numerous side quests… not until the week before finals came.

The campus always seemed different when finals were approaching slowly. Hallways that were usually noisy had quieted to hurried whispers. Empty classrooms became makeshift study areas. Cafés were filled less with laughter and more with laptops, reviewers, and half-finished cups of coffee.

Students stopped asking, "Do you want to hang out?", and started asking, "Did you study chapter eight?"

It was the closest the university came to holding its breath.

—

Saparata had never particularly enjoyed the finals season, not because of the exams themselves. He always managed those somehow—It was everything around them. Everyone disappeared.

Cass was studying with classmates. Schpood had locked himself in his dorm with enough instant noodles to survive a natural disaster. Snowbird had gone home to the Theria Household for the weekend to review with Micro, who had surprisingly abandoned him in favor of "actually trying this semester."

Which left Saparata exactly where he hated being most. Alone.

"...Well." He stared up at the library. "I guess it's finally time to pretend I'm responsible."

—

The library looked exactly as it always did, but now, It was more filled with students cramming their study sessions than it usually did, and amongst those students was a familiar face that Saparata honestly hoped to see.

"...He's here." He found himself whispering softly.

Saparata spotted him before he'd even made it past the entrance—Same corner. Same table. Same stack of neatly organized reviewers. At this point… He would've been more surprised if Fluixon wasn't there.

Without much thought, he wandered over.

Fluixon didn't even look up. "Hello, Saparata."

Saparata actually blinked in surprise after he got figured out so quickly. "...You knew it was me?"

Fluixon shrugged, still not looking at him. "You walk louder than everyone else."

"I do not." He denied. 

"You do."

Saparata dropped into the chair across from him. "I wasn't even gonna ask if I could sit."

"I know." Fluixon replied quickly, like it was already in his second nature to do so.

Saparata wasn’t used to that. "...You're getting used to me."

"I'm adapting." Fluixon corrected him.

Saparata snorted at that. "That's basically the same thing."

"It isn't."

"...It’s close enough." He bickered.

Fluixon finally looked up from his notes. "...Why are you here?"

He leaned back in his chair. "...Nobody wanted to do anything today." He complained like a child who didn’t get the sweet he wanted.  "So… I figured I should probably study."

Fluixon blinked. "...Voluntarily?"

"Don't sound so shocked." Saparata said with mild offense.

Fluixon resisted the urge to crack a smile at his offended expression. "You've given me reason to."

"I'm capable of making good decisions."

"...Occasionally." Fluixon muttered loud enough for Saparata to hear.

"I make lots of good decisions."

"You skipped class for a cat."

"Joseph needed me."

"He was asleep." Fluixon deadpanned, “Also, I’m still clueless on why you decided to name the my building’s campus cat.”

Saparata ignored the question, he didn’t wanna answer that it was because Joseph always gave him a way to visit the accountancy building, for reasons he shall not name. "It needed emotional support." He opted to answer to Fluixon’s first reply.

Fluixon shook his head, as he decided to not comment about how Saparata deliberately ignored him. "...What are you studying?"

"Marketing." He held up a thick textbook. "Specifically..." He frowned at the page. "...Whatever this is."

Fluixon glanced at it. "...Consumer behavior."

"Yeah, that.” He huffed. “I have no idea what's happening."

"I figured, you’ve been staring at the same page." Fluixon observed.

Saparata merely buried his face in his hands at that. "I was hoping it'd start making sense."

"It won't."

"...You could’ve at least let me pretend." Saparata said, as he ruffled his hair from the utter frustration this horrible textbook is making him feel.

Eventually, Fluixon reached across the table. "Let me see."

Saparata slid the book toward him without question. Fluixon skimmed the page. "...You're overcomplicating it."

"I am?"

"Mhm." He grabbed a blank sheet of paper. "This chapter isn't asking you to memorize everything." His pen moved quickly across the page. "It's asking why people buy things."

He drew a simple diagram. "Needs, wants, influences, decisions…” 

Saparata watched him write. "...That's it?"

"Essentially." 

An hour passed. Then another. At some point, Saparata had stopped pretending to study, because  he actually was. And every time he got stuck, Fluixon quietly explained it.

Never impatient. Never condescending. Just… Patient. Saparata found himself smiling while Fluixon kept talking.

"...What?" Fluixon looked up.

"Nothing." 

"You've been staring."

"I have not."

"You have."

"...Okay, maybe a little."

"...Why?"

Saparata rested his cheek against his hand. "I kinda expected you to tell me to figure it out myself."

Fluixon frowned. "...Why would I do that?"

Saparata shrugged, “I don’t know, I just kinda assumed with how busy you are, you wouldn’t have enough space in your schedule to like… teach me.” He chuckled softly, “I honestly expected you to complain because I wasted twenty minutes that you initially dedicated to reading a chapter of whatever book you’re reading.”

His words lingered around the air, and Saparata expected Fluixon to roll his eyes and agree with his assumption, but he didn’t—not exactly.

Instead, he looked down at his written notes laid in front of him. “If it were the me a few months ago that you asked, you would’ve been right.” He admitted. 

Saparata tilted his head at that, but he allowed Fluixon to continue. “But I learned something recently,” He hummed, “No matter how important the things in my planner may be, If someone I cared about needed me, I would drop all of it in a heartbeat.”

Silence settled between the two of them, Fluixon eventually had to continue annotating more notes in his notebook, while Saparata sat there dumbly, processing everything Fluixon just said.

‘...If someone I cared about needed me, I would drop all of it in a heartbeat…’

Saparata couldn’t hold the soft chuckle that escaped his mouth, his cheeks flushed a pinkish shade because of it, Fluixon glanced over at him in confusion. “...You’re a cruel man, Fluixon.”

“Excuse me?” Fluixon uttered in disbelief. “I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

“You didn’t,” Saparata confirmed, and then his head dropped low, as he folded his arms to rest his head on top of it, all the while staring at Fluixon like he needed to memorize every detail in his face.

“I just find it cruel that you don’t even know what your words do to me.” Saparata whispered so quietly, Fluixon couldn’t catch half of what he said.

“...Can you repeat that?” Fluixon asked, to which Saparata simply shook his head as he straightened up abruptly.

“Nope.” He declined quickly, “What I said isn’t important anyway, so go on, continue studying, I think I’m done for the day anyway.” He added, closing the textbook in front of him with efficient speed.

Fluixon blinked once, then twice. He had the urge to keep questioning, but he also didn’t want to waste the opportunity to get back to his own work, so he nodded wordlessly and continued.

Shortly after, Fluixon decided that he was also done for the day, because no matter he does, he cannot concentrate on the words inside his textbooks when he could feel Saparata’s eyes bore into him like he had all the answers the world could offer.

—

A loud roll of thunder echoed outside, both of them turned toward the windows. Rain. Heavy enough to blur the campus into shifting shades of gray.

"...Well," Saparata murmured. "There goes my walk home."

Fluixon looked toward the umbrella resting against the side of his chair. Then back to the rain. Without saying anything, he stood, packed his books, and slung his backpack over one shoulder.

Saparata watched curiously. "...Wow, you’re not even gonna say goodbye to me?”

“Why would I?” Fluixon said as he picked up the umbrella. "...Come on."

Saparata blinked. "...I don’t follow."

Fluixon narrowed his eyes, "I only have one umbrella."

"...I can see that."

"So we'll share it."

For once… Saparata didn't have a joke. He simply smiled. "...Okay."

The umbrella wasn't particularly large. Just enough to keep them mostly dry if they walked close enough together. Their shoulders bumped every few steps. Neither commented on it.

The rain filled the silence for them. Somewhere between the library and the front gate… Saparata glanced sideways. "...Thanks."

Fluixon looked ahead. "...For what?"

"For today.” Saparata answered simply.

Fluixon was quiet for a moment. Then, almost too softly to hear over the rain, "...You're welcome."

Neither said much after that. They didn't need to.

Because somewhere between shared notes, quiet conversations, and a small umbrella that shouldn’t have fit two people, the stranger who'd once thrown Fluixon's schedule into chaos… Had quietly become someone he no longer minded making time for.

—

Final examinations had a funny way of changing people.

For two weeks, campus had been filled with tired smiles, empty coffee cups, and students surviving almost entirely on deadlines and determination.

Then… It ended. Just like that.

The last answer sheet was handed in. The last classroom emptied. The last frantic review session became unnecessary.

Summer break waited just beyond the weekend. For the first time in months… Nobody had anywhere they absolutely needed to be.

—

Saparata Theria was facing a horrendous predicament; one that included a party, an invitation he wanted to send, and Fluixon Aculon.

You see, he had rewritten this specific message four times, deleted it four times, started over, and then deleted it again. All because for the first time since he has known Fluixon, he wanted to shoot his shot and invite him to a party.

It wasn't like he was asking Fluixon to do anything impossible—Actually, scratch that, he was asking for something impossible, once he recalled how blatantly Fluixon declined his offer to go to parties, but he thought that since it’s been a while, and since they’ve gotten closer with him… That he’ll take his time to consider it a little while longer.

He stared at his phone. "...This is ridiculous."

Saparata started biting the nail of his thumb nervously out of habit, He wasn’t scared of Fluixon rejecting the offer. Honestly, he’s already expecting it, he’s more so scared of appearing too pushy in Fluixon’s perspective, and driving him away while doing so.

He sighed. Typed one last message. Pressed send before he could overthink it again.

Saparata:

Finals are over.

Saparata:

Some friends are throwing a party tonight.

Saparata:

Wanna come?

He immediately locked his phone and threw it on the farthest corner of his bed.

He was acting like a teenage girl initiating a first move on her crush because of a dare. It was a ridiculous sight to see at his grown age. "This is torture." He muttered, his voice all muffled after he shoved his face on his pillow.

Then, his phone buzzed. His heart almost dropped to his ass.

Fluixon:

Did you send this to the right person?

Saparata blinked, then actually gaped a little out of offense.

Saparata:

If this isn’t Fluixon ‘I hate parties’ Aculon, then yeah, this is a wrong send

Fluixon:

Whatever. I’m just surprised.

Saparata could almost hear Fluixon’s voice, he had to slap his cheek to prevent a smile from forming.

Saparata:

You can always say no, y’know?

Saparata:

I promise I won’t hold any grudges

Saparata:

I’ll cry about it tho

Fluixon’s message bubble appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again. Saparata was basically vibrating off his bed from how nervous he was.

Fluixon:
What time?

Saparata blinked once, then twice. Holy parental of Ish. Is he dreaming?

Saparata had to shut his phone down and restart it again, just to see if his messaging app perhaps glitched, and when he opened Fluixon’s contact again, the message was still there.

The scream he let out was enough to actually get Jophiel and Micro worried when they bursted into his room, only to resist the urge to actually skin Saparata alive after they figured out the reason why he screamed.

—

By the time Fluixon arrived, music already echoed through the rented venue.

Students laughed over paper cups. Someone was arguing passionately about karaoke. Someone else had already fallen asleep on a couch despite the night barely beginning.

Fluixon stood near the entrance. He felt spectacularly out of place.

Saparata spotted him almost immediately. "You actually came." He said out of awe. 

Fluixon rolled his eyes. "You invited me."

Saparata only smiled in response. "I know, I'm just surprised."

"So am I."

Saparata laughed. "You look…” Saparata lost his train of thought as he observed Fluixon’s outfit more.

Usually, Fluixon’s way of casual dressing always appeared too formal, his tops never had a single crinkle whenever Saparata saw him, and he was always adorned in dark purple shades. Don’t get him wrong, Fluixon always looked naturally good no matter what he wore.

But this time, Fluixon wore a black leather jacket with fur on it’s collar, it seemed to be a size too big on him, and his inner top seemed to be a turtleneck that was sleeveless and hugged his waist so comfortably it looked like it had always belonged there.

Saparata gulped, he hadn’t realized that a minute had already passed without him speaking.

“...Hello? You’re kind of scaring me.” Fluixon muttered, his brows were furrowed and his lips were slightly pursed, his foot impatiently tapping on the floor of the venue.

“Oh!” Saparata uttered dumbly, “Sorry—I didn’t—” Saparata stuttered so stupidly he actually wanted somebody to shoot his head right now. “Nevermind, what I mean is—you look really good.”

Fluixon blinked, then, he had the gall to tilt his head just right, so that the faded neon purple lights framed his face just right. “Good enough to make you stutter?”

Saparata was too speechless to even come up with a retort to that. "...Exactly." He whispered helplessly.

—

Before he knew it, hours passed easier than Fluixon expected. He spoke with people, and even laughed  a little,  he ate far more food than he'd planned. And— Against his better judgment—Accepted a drink. Then another. Then… the lights on the ceiling now looked like stars in his perspective.

Before he could take another sip, someone took the cup away from his hands.

"...How many was that?" Saparata gently murmured, how long has he been beside Fluixon? "I think we're done for today.” 

"I'm fine." Fluixon insisted, his face leaning closer to the taller man.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’ve been to enough parties to figure out who’s sober enough for more and who isn’t.” Saparata informed him with a smile, “And you’re definitely the latter.”

"I am not.” Fluixon denied stubbornly.

"You just called Schpood 'Professor.'"

Fluixon blinked. "...Did I?"

"You did." Saparata nodded in confirmation.

Fluixon had to look away to try to scan the blurring faces and identify where the Ish Schpood even was, and when he saw someone that looked similar enough, he merely squinted.  "...He looks academic."

“That guy failed Economics twice.” Saparata snorted. "Definitely not a professor."

Fluixon frowned thoughtfully. "...Maybe honorary."

Jophiel was the only one who heard Fluixon’s comment besides Saparata, and she couldn’t help but choke on her drink, Schpood looked at her with concern because of it.

—

"He wasn't built for this." Snowbird looked at his friend in utter pity. 

Cass couldn’t even believe someone could be this intolerable to alcohol. "He’s had like, what, three drinks?" She murmured.

"Four," Saparata corrected automatically.

Cass looked at Saparata so quickly, her neck almost cracked. "...You counted?" 

"I..." He paused. "...Maybe."

Snowbird smirked. "Wow, never though I’d live to see the day you take care of someone at a party, usually you’d still be drinking like crazy.”

Saparata scoffed, "I'm the one who invited him, of course I have to lay low to make sure he’s taken care of.”

Cass nudged him. "Anyone else could." She reminded him, “Aren’t his friends also here? Like—The Thomas guy.” She recalled, although if her memory served her right, he also saw the guy get dragged into a room by Micro, so she wasn’t too sure of her statement anymore. 

"I'm already here." Was Saparata’s quick reply, although he failed to account that his tone came off too sharply.

Cass grinned. "So possessive."

"I'm not."

"You literally haven't left his side."

"I don't want him wandering off."

"He'll be fine." Saparata looked across the room. Fluixon was quietly trying to convince a decorative plant that it had "good posture."

"...No, He won't." Without another word, he walked over.

Cass watched him go. "...Yeah, he’s gone." Snowbird laughed into his drink. "I can’t tell which one among them you’re talking about."

—

Later… The party had finally begun to dim down. Most conversations had softened into tired murmurs. Some students had already called rides home. Others simply sat outside to enjoy the cool night air.

Fluixon rested against the low wall bordering the venue, staring up at the stars that managed to peek through the city lights.

Saparata stepped outside with two bottles of water. "I figured you'd need this."

Fluixon accepted one obediently. "...Thanks."

They stood there for a while. The silence felt… Comfortable. 

"I had fun." Fluixon mumbled sleepily. 

Saparata smiled. "I know."

"I don't usually..." He searched for the words. "...Do this."

"I know." Saparata replied with ease. "I'm glad you came anyway."

Fluixon looked down at the bottle in his hands. "...Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything." The words came out before Saparata could stop them, he felt himself still at his own reply.

Fluixon didn't seem to notice. "I think..." He laughed softly at himself. "...You're really annoying."

"I've heard."

"You ruined my schedules."

"I know."

"You’ve constantly stressed me out every time you’re almost late to class."

"I know."

"And you send me stupid questions about fishes."

"They're important." Saparata shrugged, simply riding along Fluixon’s drunken ramble.

"They aren't." Fluixon sighed.

"They are to me."

Fluixon smiled. A genuine one. "...I think I like it." He whispered so softly, if the surroundings around them weren’t so quiet, Saparata was sure he wouldn’t have heard it.

Saparata's heart skipped. "...What?" He found himself whispering back, his voice cracked a little while he said it.

"I think I like..." He looked over. "...You."

Silence. 

"I keep trying to be annoyed." Fluixon continued. "And then you smile, and somehow..." His voice became quieter. "...Everything feels less... heavy. And I find myself no longer minding whenever you interrupt my planned day with your presence."

Saparata analyzed Fluixon as he spoke those words so intensely that he was sure that if his stare could kill, Fluixon would be dead a thousand times now.

"I don't know what this means, though." Fluixon admitted. "I've never..." He laughed nervously. "...Done this before."

"I know." Saparata answered so quietly, as if he was scared he’d scare Fluixon away if he said anything else.

"I think..." Fluixon swallowed, he lifted his head up just to gaze at Saparata like he personally hung the moon and stars.. "...I want to kiss you."

Fluixon was already leaning in, and curse Saparata’s instinct, but he instinctively turned his head away, causing Fluixon to freeze and tilt his head out of confusion.

Not because he didn't want to—he did, Ish knows how much he did—more than he'd expected. When he looked back, their faces were so close to each other, and if Saparata was any lesser of a man, he would’ve risked it all right here and right now, especially when Fluixon looked at him like that.

But he didn’t, instead, he gently placed his thumb on the bottom of Fluixon’s lips, his warm temperature made Fluixon shiver involuntarily. Saparata cradled his chin with the rest of his hand.

"...Tomorrow." Saparata murmured to him, not once looking away.

Fluixon frowned. "...Why?"

"Because you've been drinking."

"...I still mean it."

"I believe you."

"You do?"

"I do."

"Then why not now?" Fluixon pouted, his voice slightly raised from impatience.

Saparata wasn’t offended though, he only smiled, small and warm. "Because I don't want tonight to decide this for you."

Fluixon stared at him, confused. "I don't understand."

"I know." He laughed quietly. "I'm usually the one telling you to stop thinking so much, but this..." His voice softened. "...This is one thing I don't want to rush."

Fluixon blinked slowly at that, he looked down. "...You're saying no." His eyes glistened, as if tears were about to form.

“No.” Saparata immediately shook his head, "I'm saying..." He tries to start again, making sure Fluixon doesn’t think he doesn’t want this—want him. 

"...I'm saying I want the version of you who wakes up tomorrow," Saparata confessed.  "The one who’ll remember this conversation and think with a clear mind." His other hand rested on Fluixon’s shoulder, as if to assure him. "The one who… If he doesn’t regret it, still chooses me." He squeezed Fluixon's shoulder gently.

 "If that Fluixon still wants to tell me he likes me..." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "...Then I'll be here."

Fluixon's eyes stung. Whether it was from the alcohol, exhaustion, or relief, he couldn't tell. "...Promise?"

"I promise." Saparata reassured him, as he gently let go of Fluixon’s lips and chin.

"...You won't disappear?"

"I won't."

"...Okay." Fluixon nodded once, as he slowly sunk down and rested his head on Saparata’s shoulder. "...Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Saparata smiled.

 For perhaps the first time since they'd met… Saparata Theria ignored every impulse telling him to seize the moment. Because for the first time in forever, he didn't live for right now, he chose to wait.

Because somewhere along the way… The boy who once believed every opportunity should be taken immediately had discovered something worth being patient for.

And that something was none other than the boy who has fallen asleep on his shoulder,  Fluixon Aculon.

—

The first thing Fluixon became aware of… Was sunlight.

The second… Was regret.

He opened one eye. Immediately closed it again. His head felt strangely heavy. His mouth was dry. Every sound seemed just a little louder than it should have been.

"...I drank." That much, he remembered.

Slowly. Painfully. Everything else followed.

The party. The conversations. Standing outside. Saparata.

His eyes flew open. "...No." 

His heart dropped into his stomach. "...No." He sat upright so quickly that he immediately regretted it.

A sharp ache pulsed behind his temples. He ignored it.

Fragments of the night replayed themselves one after another: "I think I like you." — "I want to kiss you."— "Promise?"

Fluixon buried his face in his hands. "...I am never leaving my apartment again."

As if on cue, his phone buzzed. He almost refused to look at it.

Almost.

Saparata:

good morning :)

Saparata:

slept well?

Fluixon stared at the screen for an embarrassingly long time. Then… Another notification.

Saparata:

if your head hurts, drink water

Saparata:

don't argue with me

Despite everything… The corner of his mouth twitched.

He sighed. Typed. Deleted. Typed again.

Fluixon:

I remember everything.

Sent.

Almost immediately—Typing... Stopped. Started again. Stopped. Then it seemed Saparata has made up his mind as Fluixon gets a new message.

Saparata:

good

Saparata:

i was hoping you would

His stomach twisted.

Before he could overthink himself into another hour of silence—

Another message arrived.

Saparata:

coffee?

Saparata:

no pressure

Saparata:

we can also pretend i never asked

Fluixon looked at the clock. Normally… He would've checked his planner first, but today He didn't.

Fluixon:

okay.

—

The café wasn't particularly busy. Most students had already gone home after finals. Honestly, they seemed to have been the only two people who have remained.

When Fluixon entered the café, his eyes scanned around the area only to find that Saparata was already there. Two drinks sat on the table.

Fluixon sat down. Neither of them spoke immediately. For the first time since they'd met… Silence felt difficult.

Saparata scratched the back of his neck. "...So."

"...So." Fluixon echoed.

"...You remember everything?"

Fluixon nodded. "I do."

"...Including..." Saparata trailed off.

"Yes." Fluixon answered it anyways.

"...Oh." Saparata looked down at his cup. "...You know, I assumed you’d pretend that you didn’t." He joked lightly.

"I considered it." Fluixon simply scoffed fondly. "...For about five seconds."

Then, Fluixon straightened as he got serious again. "I wasn't drunk enough to say something I didn't mean."

"I figured." Saparata slowly looked back up. "I just wanted to hear you say it when you were sober."

Fluixon took a quiet breath. He'd rehearsed speeches before. Presentations. Reports. Interviews. None of them had ever made him this nervous. "...Y’know."

"Hm?"

"Regarding last night, you said you wanted the version of me that woke up today." Fluixon stated, he was trying his absolute best to keep his voice steady. "The one that still chose you."

Saparata's fingers tightened around his coffee cup. "...Yeah."

Fluixon laughed once. Softly. Almost at himself. "...Unfortunately for my peace of mind..." He met Saparata's eyes. "...He does."

Silence. Not empty. Full. Warm.

Saparata smiled. Not the wide, carefree grin Fluixon had grown used to. Something quieter. Something that almost looked disbelieving. "...Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?”

"...May I kiss you?"

Fluixon stared. "...I’m surprised you still asked." He admitted, his cheeks ultimately flushing as he recalled his own words from last night.

“What can I say?” Saparata merely shrugged. "...I feel much more confident now that I know it's really you answering."

Fluixon couldn't help it. He smiled, not because he'd forgotten himself, but because he didn't have to. "...Yes."

The kiss wasn't dramatic. No cheering crowds. No cinematic music. Just two university students sitting in a quiet café after finals, and after a party that changed their lives forever.

It was brief. Gentle. Almost hesitant. Like they were both learning something entirely new. When they pulled apart… Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Finally—"...So." Saparata smiled. "...Was it worth waiting for?"

Fluixon rolled his eyes. "...Don't ruin the moment."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"...You shouldn't."

"I am anyway."

Fluixon laughed. This time, he didn't deny it.

—

Summer arrived quietly, the new season changed a lot of things in their surroundings—the sky looked clearer, and the university students who were once suffering from the academic workload finally had smiles on their faces as they embraced the well-deserved break.

The changes summer brought didn’t exclude Fluixon Aculon and Saparata Theria with it.

After all, Fluixon's planner seemingly developed one new habit.

Every week… One empty block remained. No labels. No schedule. No explanation. Just... blank.

Thomas asked him about it once. "You forget to fill that in?"

Fluixon looked down at the page. Then, almost unconsciously, smiled. "...No, I leave it open."

"For what?"

He thought of unexpected library conversations. Shared umbrellas. Texts about ducks. Orange cats. Coffee after finals. A party he almost hadn't attended.

A boy who had walked into his carefully planned life and refused to leave it as orderly as he'd found it. "...Nothing, It’s just in case."

—

Meanwhile… Saparata had started setting alarms. Not because he suddenly enjoyed waking up early, nor because he'd miraculously become organized, and certainly not because he'd started planning every hour of his day.

He still missed buses. Still wandered into the wrong buildings. Still got distracted whenever a cat crossed his path.

But whenever something involved Fluixon—He made sure he arrived on time.

Because somewhere along the way… The boy who believed life should never be planned had discovered one thing worth planning for. And the boy who believed every minute needed a purpose had discovered that sometimes… The best moments were the ones he'd never scheduled.

Because they learned something valuable when life decided to bring each other into their respective lives.

Maybe life wasn't about choosing between priorities and spontaneity. Maybe… It was about knowing what deserved to be a priority—And who made every unplanned moment worth keeping.

So, for the first time in a long while… Fluixon didn't mind when his schedule changed.

And Saparata, who had spent years chasing whatever the day happened to bring… Found that the adventure he wanted most wasn't the next unexpected thing.

It was simply… Whatever came next— As long as Fluixon was there beside him.

—

That night, after hours of doing absolutely nothing together—which somehow became one of Fluixon's favorite ways to spend an evening—His phone buzzed.

Saparata:

made it home

Saparata:

Saw Joseph again btw

Saparata:

he ignored me

Fluixon:

You probably deserved it.

Saparata:

RUDE

Saparata:

I’ve genuinely been considering to adopt him

Fluixon shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him.

Some things, thankfully, never changed. He glanced at the planner resting on his desk. Tomorrow was neatly organized, as always. Morning classes. Lunch. Study session. And, tucked between two carefully written entries… One blank space.

He looked back at his phone. After a moment, he typed.

Fluixon:
It’s getting late.

Fluixon:
Rest soon, don’t forget to turn your alarm on.

Saparata:
Like I have ever followed my alarm regardless if it was on or not

Fluixon:

Touché.

Fluixon: 

My first point still stands.

Fluixon:

You’ll regret staying up just to talk to me.

Saparata:
I have never regretted anything that involves you

Fluixon couldn’t suppress the smile that formed on his face after he read Saparata’s text, and it didn’t help the fact he sent it so quickly too.

Fluixon:

Save your flattery for tomorrow.

Fluixon:

Goodnight, mr. yolo.

Three dots appeared almost instantly. Then disappeared. Then came back.

Saparata:

goodnight, mr. priorities :)

Fluixon looked at the message for a second, the nickname twisted his heart in a sickeningly sweet way. He let out a small sigh—the kind reserved for inevitable inconveniences. Yet, despite himself,  he closed his planner without changing tomorrow's schedule.

Because some things never changed. Saparata would probably still get distracted by a stray cat. He'd probably still show up a few minutes late.

As for Fluixon, He'd probably still pretend to be annoyed when it happened. Maybe that was the point.

They hadn't changed each other. Fluixon Aculon still had days filled with priorities to achieve, and Saparata Theria still had his whole life ahead of him.

The only difference was that, along the way, life seemed to have twisted their hopeless fate, damning them to love each other in every life before, and every life they’ll live.