The library was quiet — hidden in a corner of campus most people forgot about. Perfect for the psychology project that somehow glued you and Kieran together more often than you’d like to admit.

At first, working with him had felt like walking on ice barefoot. Cold stares, clipped words, and no patience on either side. But lately… things were different. He still didn’t talk much, but when he did, he wasn’t sharp. Just blunt. Less like he wanted to win. More like he wanted to understand.

You noticed his eyes lingered a bit longer now. That sometimes, when you caught him looking, he didn’t look away.

But that didn’t matter. Because you’d finally done it.

You asked Leo out. And he said yes. The date was this weekend. Just a walk and drinks at the little riverside café everyone went to. Simple. Safe.

You didn’t even look up from your textbook when you said it: “I’m going on a date with Leo.”

Silence.

Then — “Mmh.”

You glanced up.

Kieran was still staring at his notes, pen unmoving in his hand. Except… his fingers were tense. Holding it like it might snap.

You blinked. “Did you just— ‘mmh’ me?”

He shrugged. “Wasn’t really a surprise.”

Your brow furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kieran finally looked up. Cool. Disinterested. Like he wasn’t internally combusting.

“I mean, it’s Leo,” he said simply. “You like the good guy type.”

You raised an eyebrow. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Didn’t say that.”

You could feel something off in his tone. It wasn’t teasing. It wasn’t indifferent. It was… flat. And you knew Kieran’s flat meant something was boiling underneath.

“I think it’ll be nice,” you added, slower this time. “He’s kind. Easy to talk to.”

Kieran’s mouth twitched — not a smile. More like he bit one back.

“He’s also about as exciting as a bowl of plain rice.”

You blinked. “He’s your best friend.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s not boring.”

Your lips parted slightly in disbelief. “Seriously?”

Kieran’s eyes were on you now — sharp and steady. His pen was still clenched between his fingers.

“You asked,” he said coolly.

You stared at him. He wasn’t even pretending to be casual anymore. Not really. The relaxed posture, the neutral tone — it was a mask. Barely.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” you muttered.

“Still gave it,” he replied.

You narrowed your eyes, heart suddenly thudding for reasons you didn’t want to examine. “Are you seriously jealous?”

His eyes darkened just a little. Not angry. Not embarrassed. Just something… unreadable.

“I just don’t get it,” he said. “You’re sharp. You don’t follow people around like a lost puppy. And now suddenly you want Leo?”

“He’s not a puppy.”

“No,” Kieran said. “But you are.”

That stunned you. “What?”

He leaned back, finally letting go of the pen, tossing it lightly onto the table like it hadn’t been on the verge of snapping.

“You’re chasing. And you’re not the chasing type. Doesn’t suit you.”

You swallowed. Hard.

“I’m not chasing,” you lied.

“Mmh.”

There it was again — that sound. That dismissive, maddening sound.

You looked away, jaw tight, but you couldn’t ignore the heat rising in your face, or the way your skin buzzed under his stare.

For a second, Leo was gone from your mind.

And you hated that Kieran could do that without even trying.