Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was supposed to be just another regular lab session. Same professor, same cold chairs, same white board with scribbles that looked more like cave drawings than equations. But sitting next to sylus? That was the unexpected twist.

He leaned a bit closer, eyes scanning the page as he whispered, “Wait... is this equation even real, or is she just messing with us?”

You chuckled under your breath. “Pretty sure she made it up just to see us suffer.” “Then I’m not solving it on principle.” You both broke into silent laughter, exchanging a subtle high-five under the table. Just bestie things, right?

That was until the assistant stormed in. You didn’t even remember her name, just the loud clack of her heels and that permanent scowl on her face. “You two!” she barked, arms crossed. “Why are you sitting so close and... laughing?! This is not social hour!”

You blinked. “We were literally solving the question together?” “And what’s with the rings?” she snapped, eyes narrowing. “Couple rings? Seriously?” you got confused, like wtf is she saying right now.“They’re just... rings,” you muttered, frowning. Sylus stayed quiet, looking kind of confused. Or maybe amused. Hard to tell with him.

You didn’t hold back, though. “Maybe focus on the students who aren’t solving anything instead of attacking the ones who actually are.” She left eventually, but not before throwing the nastiest glare.

The heat in the room started getting to you after that. Maybe it was the stress. Or maybe just... everything. Your vision blurred. The last thing you remembered before blacking out was Sylus calling your name.

                                                                                   ______

When you woke up, you were in the clinic, lying on one of those hard, uncomfortable beds. But his hand was still in yours. His thumb gently brushing your knuckles. “You’re awake,” he whispered, looking visibly relieved. “Are you okay?”

You blinked up at him. “What are you doing here? If someone sees us again, they’ll—” “I don’t care,” he cut you off softly, “I’m not leaving you alone like that.” His concern made your heart do weird little flips.

And he looked so... cute when he was worried. “Come closer,” you said, voice still low. “I need to tell you something.” He leaned in without hesitation. You smiled. And kissed him. It was soft. Brief. But it felt... right.

When you pulled back, you laughed. “That was my first kiss, by the way.” His eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?” you become a little shy. “Why would I?”

“Because then I would’ve made it perfect for you.”

DAMN. 

You were about to answer when the door burst open again. Of course. The assistant. She gasped. “What are you doing here together—?!”

Sylus didn’t even flinch. He just raised your hands — still interlocked — and said with a smirk, “We’re engaged.”

Silence. Her mouth opened. Then shut. She stormed off without another word. You both burst into laughter. “Engaged, huh?” you teased. He shrugged, still smiling. “Well... you already gave me your first kiss. Might as well go big.” ---

Chapter Text

You could feel it the second you stepped into the lab.

Eyes. Too many of them.

Whispers sliding like oil between benches. “Is that the girl with Sylas?”

“They’re totally together. Did you see the ring?”

You clench your jaw and march to your usual seat — the one next to him. His back’s to you, hunched over his notebook like always, hair messy like he ran a hand through them one too many times.

You sit. The stool squeaks. He glances sideways — just for a second — then quickly scribbles something down like you didn’t catch the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“They think we’re dating,” you say under your breath, arms crossed.

He taps his pen twice. “We’re basically married in TA years.”

His tone is bone-dry, face blank.

You snap your head toward him, but he still won’t look at you properly. You raise a brow.

“You’re not funny.”

“You laughed.”

Damn him.

You did.

You roll your eyes and lean forward, about to snap back, but the door swings open and your TA walks in with two clipboards.

Never a good sign.

---

Sylus POV

She’s fidgeting. Her fingers drum against the edge of the lab table, then stop, then start again.

I get it. I'm annoyed too. New lab partners? Midway through the semester? Stupid.

I try not to show it when I paired with Rafayel, a guy who once called DNA “double-something acid” in a presentation. Meanwhile, she is across the room with Caleb — who walks like he's Bohr.

I sneak glances every few minutes. She’s trying so hard not to look your way, it’s almost funny.

Until it’s not.

There’s a sudden crack! — a glass vial hits the floor. Something pops near the flame. Smoke.

Then chaos.

My body moves before your brain does.

I weave through the crowd, heart hammering, until I find her just outside the door, bent over, coughing into her sleeve.

I shrug off my hoodie and wrap it around her without asking.

“You okay?” I  say, voice quieter than intended.

She nods, but doesn’t look up.

Her fingers tighten on the cuffs of the hoodie. She drowns in it, and somehow, she looks smaller. Softer. Like she’s holding back something more than smoke.

---

MC POV

You hate clinics. They smell like bleach and bureaucracy.

Sylus is sitting beside you, still slightly breathless from the evacuation. His hair are damp from the humidity. His leg bounces — not much, but enough that your shoulders keep brushing.

The nurse takes one look at your joined names on the form and lights up like it’s Valentine’s Day.

“Ohhh young love! Shared appointment?”

You open your mouth.

“We’re not—”

“Wait, no—”

She types anyway. Sylas doesn’t even argue.

You glare. “You let her.”

He shrugs one shoulder. “Cheaper this way.”

You snort, leaning back in your chair. “You’re ridiculous.”

He smirks, one corner of his mouth quirking up. “Still not funnier than me, though.”

You roll your eyes so hard they nearly exit your body — but your lips betray you with the hint of a smile.

Then the nurse hands you the form. Emergency contact section.

You freeze.

Your pen hovers.

And then, like gravity, you just... write it. Sylus.

You glance sideways. He already wrote yours — neat, small handwriting, no hesitation.

You look down again.

You’re not even sure what his favorite movie is, but apparently you trust him with your unconscious body?

Worrying.

---

Sylus POV

It’s quiet on the walk back. Not awkward. Just… quiet.

The golden hour paints the pavement in orange streaks. She still has my hoodie on, sleeves pulled over her hands like she’s afraid of touching the air too hard.

I steal a glance. She’s biting the inside of her cheek, eyes on the sidewalk like it offended her.

“Hey,” I say, voice tentative.

She stops walking and looks up.

My chest tightens. I scratch the back of my neck — stall a second — then force the words out.

“I know this started off as a joke. The ring. The whole fake thing.”

She nods slowly, no sarcasm in sight.

“But it’s not a joke to me anymore.”

Her eyes widen just a little. Her lips part, then press together again like she’s holding back an avalanche.

I step back, hands up. “I’m not trying to make things weird, I just… wanted you to know.”

---

MC POV

Your stomach is in knots. Your throat? Dry. Your heartbeat? Breakdancing.

But he’s looking at you like he’s scared you’ll disappear if he breathes wrong.

And that makes it easier somehow.

You shift your weight from foot to foot. Then step closer, close enough to smell the faint citrus in his hair, your hands still swallowed in the sleeves of his hoodie.

“Okay,” you whisper.

His brows knit. “Okay?”

You nod, slowly.

“Okay. Let’s see where this goes.”

And then he smiles. Not the sarcastic smirk. Not the bored half-grin.

A real smile. Gentle. Hopeful. A little scared.

And it’s all you can do not to kiss him right there.

Chapter Text

MC POV

The hoodie still smells like him.

Like lemon zest and late nights.

And you’ve told yourself only six times today to stop thinking about that.

You reach your spot in the lecture hall and freeze.

He’s already there.

Early.

Sylus never comes early. You glance down at the empty coffee cup in his hand, then up at his slightly anxious brows.

He got you a coffee too.

“What’s this?”

He shrugs, but his ears are red. “Bribery.”

You cock your head. “For?”

“Not yelling at me when I fall asleep mid-slide again.”

You take the cup slowly. “I won’t yell. I’ll just draw a mustache on you this time.”

He chuckles — real, low, and kind of… warm.

You look away, sipping the slightly-too-sweet drink, and hate that it makes you smile anyway.

---

Sylus POV

I catch her watching me. Twice.

She thinks she’s subtle, biting her straw and pretending she’s “listening to the lecture,” but her eyes flick your way every time you shift in my seat.

I pretend not to notice, but my pulse betrays you.

It’s her laugh, maybe.

The way she throws her head back slightly, shoulders trembling, when something’s actually funny.

Or maybe it’s how she keeps fixing the cuffs of your hoodie like she wants to give it back but also never does.

I'm starting to feel like a background process in your own life. Everything else is noise — lectures, labs, My ex blowing up my phone again — and she’s just... signal.

A signal I'm not sure I have the right to follow.

My phone buzzes.

Yuki : u forgot i exist or r u busy with ur new charity case lol

I sigh through my nose and lock the screen. Nope. Not today.

---

MC POV

You’re in the library, halfway through rewriting your notes, when something taps your arm.

You jump — dramatically — which makes Sylus grin like a little menace.

“Easy, killer,” he mutters, sitting beside you like he’s always belonged there.

“Scared the mitochondria out of me,” you hiss.

He raises a brow. “Wow, using cell biology jokes to cope. You’re worse than me.”

You nudge him with your elbow, but don’t actually tell him to leave.

There’s a comfort in this, weirdly — him spreading his long limbs across the whole table, your pens mixed up with his, your handwriting right next to his.

At one point, you both reach for the same highlighter. Your fingers brush.

You flinch.

He doesn’t move.

You glance up.

He’s already looking at you.

And for one heartbeat — the world narrows to that look. That charged, unreadable stare like he’s trying to solve you with no formula.

He pulls his hand back first. “You can keep it.”

But his voice is lower now.

---

Sylus POV

It’s late. Almost 10pm. The library’s thinning out and my brain’s melting.

I should go.

But she yawns beside you, and suddenly, I'm convinced I could survive an extra hour.

“Wanna walk out together?” I ask, trying for casual.

She nods, already packing up.

We walk side by side. She’s quiet, but not in the cold way — more like… thoughtful.

The breeze picks up and she hugs herself.

I hesitate, then slide the hoodie off my own arms — again — and drape it over her shoulders.

This time she doesn’t argue.

Just looks up and says, real soft: “You always do that.”

“What?”

“Put me first.”

I look away, because her voice is too honest and it’s messing with my wiring.

“Maybe I just like being your emergency blanket.”

She laughs. It’s enough to keep the cold out.

---

MC POV

You’re brushing your teeth when your phone buzzes.

Sylus.

> Sylus:

forgot to ask

you free this friday? Caleb’s throwing something stupid

might be a good time to... show off our “deeply believable romance” 😒

You bite your lip, typing.

> You:

do I get to fake-flirt shamelessly and steal all the attention?

Three dots. Then:

> Sylus:

obviously.

that’s the whole point of fake love.

you steal the show.

I pretend I’m not in love with you.

easy.

You blink.

You blink again.

He unsent it.

Then retyped:

> Sylus:

you steal the show. I act aloof. We get free snacks.

Your heart’s doing somersaults.

You stare at the screen for a good two minutes.

And all you can think is:

You’re both in so much trouble.

Chapter Text

MC’s POV

The party was louder than I expected. Lights danced across the ceiling of the rented rooftop venue, music pulsed deep in my chest, and students filled every corner—laughing, dancing, drinking. I tightened my fingers around my cup and searched the room, heart hammering way too hard for someone who was just supposed to be “casually hanging out.”

“Looking for me?” Sylus’s voice brushed against my ear before I saw him, and I turned around just in time to catch his stupidly charming smirk.

“God, don’t sneak up on people like that,” I said, pretending to scowl.

He leaned closer, eyes flicking down to my lips before bouncing back up. “You love it.”

I did. I really, really did. But I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.

“You’re late,” I muttered, sipping my drink.

“Fashionably,” he corrected, stepping beside me. “Had to make an entrance.”

From a distance, we probably looked normal—just two classmates chatting. But the tension between us was humming tonight, even more than usual. It felt like everyone in the room could see it.

“Come on,” he said, nodding toward the dance floor. “Let’s give them something to stare at.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t dance.”

“Neither do I,” he said, tugging my hand. “That’s the point.”

---

Sylus’s POV

She let me pull her in. Her body was stiff for about three seconds—then relaxed against mine like we’d done this a hundred times. The music was loud, but not loud enough to drown out the way my heart thumped every time she looked up at me.

“You’re staring again,” she said, grinning.

“Because I can,” I murmured.

I wasn’t even trying to flirt anymore. It wasn’t a game, not tonight. Not after the way she laughed when I arrived, not after how good her hand felt in mine.

I noticed the way people were watching us. I didn’t care. But I saw her eyes flick toward them, then back to me. There was something hesitant—nervous—but she didn’t pull away.

Then she appeared.

Yuki

Of course she would show up now.

“Wow,” Yuki said, her voice sharp and sugary. “Didn’t realize you were the clingy type now.”

MC stiffened next to me. My jaw tensed.

“Yuki,” I said flatly.

“Who’s your… friend?” she asked, clearly pretending not to know.

Before I could answer, MC took a step forward. “I’m the girl he’s dancing with. Problem?”

Yuki blinked, caught off guard by the confidence. “No. Just surprised. Sylus doesn’t usually go for—”

“Careful,” I said, my tone dropping.

She smirked but backed off. “Have fun.”

---

MC’s POV

We didn’t say anything for a few seconds. The music blurred into a low hum, and I suddenly felt warm all over.

“You okay?” I asked.

He nodded, but his grip on my waist had tightened.

“Ignore her,” I said softly. “She’s irrelevant.”

He looked at me then, really looked at me, like he was trying to memorize the moment.

“You make it hard to keep pretending,” he whispered.

“Pretending what?”

“That I don’t want more than just moments like this.”

I didn’t have a reply. My brain short-circuited. But I leaned in closer, and he met me halfway. The kiss wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t some messy party hook-up. It was slow and real and completely unraveled me.

---

Sylus ’s POV

Her lips were soft and tasted like whatever fruit punch she’d been sipping, but I didn’t care. I kissed her like I’d been holding back for months.

I pressed her back gently against the wall near the balcony, barely noticing the cold breeze hitting my neck. Her hands slid up my chest, under the edge of my jacket.

“You sure?” I asked against her mouth.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Are you?”

I responded by kissing her again, harder.

The rest of the party faded away. I was aware of the beat thumping somewhere behind us, the flicker of lights, but all of it felt distant. Irrelevant.

My fingers trailed down her side slowly, testing, tracing. She shivered.

“You’re beautiful,” I muttered, burying my face in her neck.

“You’re just saying that because I let you kiss me.”

I laughed, breathless. “No, I’m saying it because I’ve been thinking it since the first day you rolled your eyes at me.”

Her laugh was quiet, and I felt her press closer.

“I can’t believe I kissed you before you kissed me,” she whispered.

“You can make up for it now,” I murmured, nudging her jaw up with my nose before kissing her again—this time deeper, more urgent.

Our rhythm was slower now. Lingering. She reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together, grounding me in the moment. It wasn’t just about heat. It was something else too—something terrifyingly real.

And that scared me more than anything.

But I didn’t pull away.

I stayed.

And I kissed her again like it was the only thing that made sense in this whole damn world.

The kiss had started as a spark, but now it roared like fire. Her lips parted just slightly, like an invitation, and I didn’t need to be asked twice. I pulled her closer, one hand cupping her cheek, the other resting low on her back as I deepened the kiss. She tasted like something sweet and dangerous—like a secret I wasn’t supposed to know, but now couldn’t forget.

She gasped into my mouth when my fingers brushed the skin beneath her top, barely touching, but enough to send a shiver through her. I felt it. Hell, I felt everything. The way her body arched toward me. The way her hands tightened around my shirt. The way she whispered my name like it was a confession.

“Sylus …” she breathed, lips brushing mine with each syllable.

I smirked, lips grazing her jawline, down her neck, slow, teasing. “Say it again.”

Her laugh was breathless. “You’re insufferable.”

“But you like it.” My voice dipped lower, huskier.

She didn’t deny it.

I guided us backward until her back touched the wall. My fingers trailed up her side, under the fabric, feeling the warmth of her skin, the flutter of her breath. Her nails grazed the back of my neck and I hissed through my teeth, pushing my hips forward just enough for her to feel how much I wanted her. Her eyes widened. A smug grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

“Still think I’m just teasing?”

She bit her lip—like that would help. Like it wouldn’t drive me more insane.

“I think,” she said, her voice soft but daring, “you’re still wearing too many clothes.”

God. Damn.

I groaned, pressing my forehead to hers. “If you say things like that, I might not stop this time.”

She didn’t move away.

Instead, she pulled me closer.

My lips found hers again, hungrier now, more urgent. I could feel her heartbeat through the kiss. My hand slipped down her thigh, lifting it around my waist. Her breath hitched, and she whispered something I couldn’t quite hear—but felt every bit of.

We were losing ourselves, piece by piece.

And I didn’t want to be found.

Chapter Text

[MC’s POV]

The morning after the party felt surreal. Sunlight filtered through my bedroom curtains, soft and golden, but it felt out of place—like it didn’t belong in the hazy, aching aftermath of everything that had happened. I could still feel the bass from the speakers thudding faintly in my chest, but louder than that was the memory of Sylus’ hands on my skin, his voice low in my ear, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. One new message.

< Sylus: "Let’s meet. Rooftop. Noon.”

Simple. No emojis. No heart. Just words. But it still made my pulse spike.

I showered slowly, letting the water wash away the glitter and guilt from the night before. We hadn’t really talked. Not about what it meant. Not about what would happen next.

The rooftop was quiet when I got there, the city humming beneath us. Sylus was already leaning against the railing, hair messy, wearing a hoodie he probably slept in. He looked up when he heard me. For a moment, we just stared.

Then he spoke. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I echoed.

I stood next to him. Not too close. Not yet. The air was thick with unsaid things.

He glanced sideways. "You okay? After last night?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

He nodded, then gave a little half-shrug. “Kinda hard to sleep after everything.”

I laughed softly. “Same.”

There was a long pause. Not awkward, but charged. Like both of us were waiting for the other to say it first.

Finally, I asked, “So... what happens now?”

He tilted his head toward me. “I was hoping you’d tell me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Well, for starters, maybe we don’t pretend like none of it happened?”

He smiled. Really smiled. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

He reached for my hand slowly, like he was giving me the chance to pull away. I didn’t.

[SYLUS POV]

Her fingers curled around mine and something in my chest eased, like I’d been clenching it for weeks without noticing.

“You looked like you were gonna bolt,” I murmured.

She gave me a sheepish grin. “I was thinking about it.”

“I would’ve chased you.”

“I know.”

God, she was beautiful in the sunlight. Her hair messy from sleep, her hoodie a little too big, sleeves covering her hands. Real. Soft.

I took a step closer. “Listen, last night... I didn’t plan any of that. It wasn’t some move or... whatever.”

“I know it wasn’t.”

“I meant it.”

She looked up at me, eyes searching mine like she wanted to believe it but needed me to say it louder.

“I like you. Not in the passing-crush kind of way. Like... annoyingly, constantly, can’t-stop-thinking-about-you way.”

She blinked, stunned.

I leaned in slightly. “And if you’d let me, I’d like to keep being the guy who carries you to the clinic and listens to you rant about lab reports and maybe, occasionally, kisses you stupid.”

Her lips curled. “That’s oddly specific.”

“I’ve had time to think.”

[MC’s POV]

He was rambling. Nervous. I’d never seen Sylus nervous.

“Can I say something now?” I asked.

“Please.”

“I like you too.”

His eyes widened. It was like watching the storm clouds finally break.

I continued, “I didn’t know it was going to happen like this. Honestly, I didn’t think I had a chance with you. You’re... you.”

He scoffed. “What does that even mean?”

“You’re intense. Cool. Mysterious. Meanwhile, I nearly fainted because I forgot to eat lunch yesterday.”

Sylas laughed—like full, real laugh. “You’re ridiculous. And perfect.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. He stepped closer, our bodies inches apart.

“I want this,” he whispered. “Whatever it is. With you.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

[SYLUS POV]

I didn’t wait this time. I leaned in and kissed her, slow and warm, like we had all the time in the world. Because maybe now, we did.

When we finally pulled back, she looked up at me and smiled.

“So... you wanna tell that nosy TA we’re official now?”

I laughed. “I’ll print her an invitation to the wedding.”

She smacked my chest, but she was laughing too. And I knew, without a doubt, this was the start of something real.