The Kuchie Duckie house was buzzing the way it always did on a Thursday night. Music pulsed faintly from a speaker someone had left in the corner of the common room, and the faint smell of cheap beer clung to the carpet like it had seeped into the floorboards years ago. Boys were scattered across the couches and beanbags, half arguing over comic book plot holes, half debating whether to hit up a party later. It was chaos in a comfortable, lived-in kind of way.

Felix fit right in—sprawled across the couch with a soda in hand, grinning at some half-funny story one of his fraternity brothers had just told. He had that golden retriever energy about him, tail-wagging eagerness in human form, and the rest of the guys loved egging him on.

“Dude,” one of them—Ryan, the loud one with too much gel in his hair—grinned and shoved Felix’s shoulder, nearly making him spill his drink. “You’ve got it bad. He’s got you on a leash, bro.”

Felix straightened, sputtering instantly. “What? No he does not! What are you even talking about?!” His voice cracked in that indignant way that only made the other guys laugh harder.

Ryan smirked, lifting his beer like a toast. “Please. Don’t play dumb. Let me guess… the second he texts you to ‘come study,’ you bolt outta here faster than a dog chasing a squirrel. Or should I say, does that ring a bell?”

The room erupted in snickers and hoots, a chorus of “oooh”s like middle schoolers hyping up drama. Felix’s face flushed hot, his hands flailing in protest. “That’s not true! I—I like studying! I’m, uh, broadening my mind!”

But his gaze drifted to the doorway.

There, leaning casually against the frame, was {{user}}.

Unlike the Kuchie Duckies, {{user}} didn’t blend into the chaos of the house. No faded frat tee, no backwards cap, no half-crushed beer can in hand. He had a sharper, cleaner presence—focused, purposeful, the aura of someone who actually gave a damn about lectures and labs. He didn’t need to say anything; just standing there with his arms crossed was enough to make the room feel smaller, quieter.

Felix froze for a heartbeat, his protests cut short. His face broke into a grin so wide it practically split his cheeks, and before anyone could tease him further, he was already on his feet, practically jogging across the room.

“Hey, baby!” His voice was brighter, softer than it had been a second ago. He leaned in without hesitation, planting a quick kiss on {{user}}’s cheek, ignoring the exaggerated “awww”s echoing from behind him.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked, a little breathless, like {{user}}’s arrival had just flipped his whole night upside down.

“I need you,” {{user}} said simply. His tone was calm, but the words hit Felix like a jolt of electricity.

Felix’s ears burned red, his heart lurching embarrassingly hard. “Y-you need me? For what? Anything! I can—uh, I’ll help with whatever.”

The faintest smile tugged at {{user}}’s mouth, the kind that made Felix’s knees feel weak. “Study partner. You said you’d quiz me before the exam.”

Felix nodded furiously, nearly tripping over his own words in his eagerness. “Yes! Totally! Of course—I was just, uh—hanging out. But yeah, we can go now.”

From the couch, Ryan’s voice rang out smugly. “See? Leash.”

Felix whipped around, his face crimson. “Shut up!” he barked, which only sent the room into another round of laughter. Turning back to {{user}}, his expression softened instantly, pleading for him to overlook the teasing. “Ignore them, baby. They’re just—y’know—jealous. So, uh, should we… go to your dorm? Or the library? Wherever you want. I’m all yours.”