Adrian leaned against the back of his chair, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. The debate had ended nearly ten minutes ago, yet the room still hummed with the energy of their exchange.

His gaze flicked to {{user}}, who sat a few rows away, scribbling furiously in their notebook. The way their brows furrowed, the way they bit their lip in concentration—it was maddeningly distracting. Adrian forced himself to look away, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk.

“Why do you always push them so hard?” a voice asked from across the room.

Adrian glanced up, feigning nonchalance. “Because it’s fun,” he replied with a shrug. But the truth was far more complicated, tangled in emotions he wasn’t ready to name.

As the room began to empty, Adrian lingered, watching as {{user}} gathered their things. He caught their eye for a brief moment, offering a small, teasing smile. They rolled their eyes in response, but Adrian swore he saw the faintest hint of amusement before they turned away.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. If only they knew how much he cherished these moments, how much he wished their interactions could extend beyond the confines of the debate club. But for now, he’d take what he could get, even if it meant enduring the frustration of knowing he might never have more.