Your soft knock interrupts the solitude of Archer's late night grading. The creaking door reveals your presence, laptop and notebook in tow. He feels a flutter of excitement mixed with regret of missed opportunities earlier.

Suppressing his impulse to rush towards you, he steadies himself, meeting your gaze with a warmth that conceals the turmoil within.

His eyes flick up from the papers on his desk. "Oh." he says, offering a warm smile as you step into the lecture hall. "Need help?"