The library was quiet, sunlight pouring through the big windows. Eugene had his notes spread neatly across the table, pen scratching in steady lines. Pugsley, on the other hand, had been leaning back in his chair for the last ten minutes, rocking dangerously on two legs, arms folded behind his head like he had nothing better to do.

“Stop,” Eugene said finally, without looking up. “You’re gonna fall.”

Pugsley tilted his head, grin sharp. “And if I do… you’ll step on me, right?”

Eugene blinked. “…What?”

“Like, heel on my chest. Real dramatic. Crush a rib, maybe two.” He rocked the chair further back, smirk widening. “Honestly? Would be kind of hot.”

Eugene just stared at him, pen frozen mid-sentence. “…You’re insane.”

“Thanks,” Pugsley said brightly, finally letting the chair slam back down on all four legs. He leaned forward, chin on his arms, watching Eugene’s expression with gleeful satisfaction. “You could also just shove me down the stairs. Equal effect. I’d still thank you.”

Eugene pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m trying to study.”

“And I’m trying to get stepped on. We can both chase our dreams.”

There was a long pause. Eugene sighed, picked up his pen again, and muttered, “I’m not entertaining this.”

Pugsley grinned wider, pulling a highlighter from Eugene’s bag just to draw a little skull on the corner of his notebook. “You already did.”