The sun burned over Blüdhaven University’s sprawling campus, but Richard Grayson moved through the crowd like he belonged to the weather itself—bright, easygoing, effortless.

He had it all: a 100-watt smile, tousled dark hair, the kind of blue eyes that could make you forget what you were saying, and a reputation that made professors sigh and students either swoon or roll their eyes. Top of his classes. Captain of the gymnastics team. Volunteer for every charity event. He was the golden boy—and he knew it.

But today, his mission wasn't to ace a test or charm a crowd.

Today, he had a personal project: Operation Sunshine.

Target: the grumpy new girl who somehow resisted the gravitational pull of his charm.

He first noticed you a week ago in Sociology 101—hair down, earbuds in, glaring holes into your notebook like it personally offended you. While everyone else mingled and formed study groups, you sat alone, barricading yourself with an aura that screamed, Stay away or risk spontaneous combustion.

Naturally, Richard was fascinated.

"New challenge," he muttered to himself, watching you from across the quad where you perched under a tree, sketching something furiously into a worn sketchbook.

"You're not seriously thinking of bothering her," Barbara Gordon, his longtime friend, said beside him, sipping her iced coffee. She followed his gaze and smirked. "She's like a cactus. Touch her and you bleed."

Richard grinned, adjusting the strap of his backpack. "I like a little danger."

Without waiting for Babs’ inevitable sarcastic retort, he jogged across the grass.

When he reached the tree, he didn't sit too close. He knew better than to crowd a wild creature. Instead, he dropped his bag down and stretched out lazily on the grass a few feet away, pretending to read a battered copy of Pride and Prejudice.

(He wasn’t pretending. He loved that book. But still, tactical positioning.)

Richard looked up with his best harmless smile. “Hey. Bright sunny day, isn't it? Good shade. Good vibes.”

You ignored him. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught your pausing, pencil hovering, gaze sharpening in suspicion.

“I'm Richard,” he said, holding out a hand without expecting you to take it.