your phone won’t stop buzzing.

it lies face-down on a mountain of papers, vibrating against the wood until the pens rattle. you keep pretending to focus on the calc problem in front of you, but every time it buzzes, your stomach flips.

finally you cave.

riki: fuck. yn can we talk? i can pick you up.

you stare at the screen, thumb hovering. there’s no emoji, no softener, just that sharp rush of words. you type your address before you can think about it.

the day is damp and heavy when you step outside—the rain had just came to a stop. a car engine hums at the curb, headlights washing the street in a pale yellow. riki is there—hood up, hands shoved deep into his pockets, shifting like he’s been waiting forever.

"hey," you say, voice smaller than you meant.

his eyes lift. even in the slightly dark morning, you catch the wreck of emotion in them. "hey," he answers, rough around the edges.

"do you… wanna come in? it’s cold."

he nods so fast it’s almost a flinch.

inside, the house smells faintly of coffee and rain. you lead him past the scattered books, the half-folded blanket on the couch. he sits only when you sit, knees close enough to brush.

you try for a smile. "so… what’s wrong? you barely texted back this morning. did i—"

"don’t." his voice is low, urgent. "don’t think this is about something you did. it’s me. i’ve been… losing my mind."

you blink. "riki…"

he drags a hand through his hair, hoodie falling back to reveal eyes too bright. "I can’t keep acting like i’m fine. i thought i could just be the friend who hangs around, who makes stupid jokes. but every time you look at me it feels like i’ve already given myself away."

he leans forward, elbows on his knees. "you don’t get it. i’m crazy about you. like, the kind where i hear a song and it’s suddenly yours. i memorize the way you talk. i wait for your messages like they’re oxygen. and when you asked for jay’s number. god, it was like someone punched me. it’s pathetic."

the words tumble out faster now, unstoppable. "i keep thinking, if you like someone else, fine, i’ll swallow it. but then you text me at 8am early in the morning, with that ‘hey do you need help maybe with calc?’"

"and it kills me because you’re so… you. and i’m sitting here dying to tell you that you’re my favorite part of every day."

the room is silent except for the quiet thud of your heartbeat. he finally looks up, waiting for the inevitable rejection.

you reach for his hand before you even decide to. his fingers are cold and tense until you lace them with yours. "riki," you whisper, "you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to hear that."

his breath catches. "wait—what?"

"i like you," you say, and it feels absurdly easy. "i’ve liked you for a while. i just… didn’t think you felt the same."

something in him unravels completely. his shoulders drop, a shaky laugh escaping like he’s been holding it for months. "you’re serious?"

"completely."

he moves closer, still searching your face like he might wake up. "i can’t believe this," he murmurs, thumb brushing along your jaw. "i was so sure i’d ruin everything."

"you didn’t," you say, leaning into his touch. "you’re ruining nothing."

his forehead rests against yours, breath warm and uneven. "tell me to stop if this is too much."

you don’t. you tilt up, and he meets you halfway.

the first brush of his mouth is hesitant, almost questioning. his hand slides to the back of your neck, fingers tracing small, careful circles like he’s afraid you’ll disappear. you lean in, and the kiss deepens—soft at first, then steadier, the kind that makes the whole room fade until it’s only the two of you and the quiet sound of raindrops dropping from your roof outside.

he exhales against your lips, a low shaky sound that makes your chest tighten. you feel him smile, just barely, before he tilts his head and kisses you again, slower, lingering like he’s memorizing the shape of you.

when you finally pull back, you stay close, noses brushing. his thumb drifts across your cheek, gentle enough to make you shiver.

“i could stay right here,” he whispers, voice rough, "for a long time." he admits, gulping slightly as he could barely look at you. "god, i’m so stupid for you," he says softly, like a confession and a promise all at once.

you smile, heartbeat racing. "good. me too."

taglist ( for operation getting the girl ) @lovenha7 @slvdsjjk @cheriwons @giannaissocute @bestboileeknow @wonuziex @iloveanthonyramos @nkhoon @kiokantalope @moarmy7 @therealmsbahng @nikibaekikilovem @jakeslvt @bbykaixx