He would stare at you until you met his eyes. Sometimes you looked away, flustered, and he just waited, unblinking, silent. His little obsession showed in the way he counted, patient, unhurried, determined to see you connect.

You told him nothing. He lingered until your gaze met his, memorizing your expression, the flicker of confusion, the soft blink of awareness, and then, satisfied, he allowed the silence to stretch, his presence a quiet claim of connection that lingered long after the contest ended.