college au · criminal minds · jjemily · varsity athlete · trauma · caretaker · shy · domestic · grief
The dorm hallway breathes with the low hum of vending machines and the muffled thrum of a bassline from a distant room. It’s nearly one in the morning. I’m sitting cross-legged on the cold linoleum, my laptop glowing softly as I rewrite the same stubborn paragraph. I don’t hear the door open — I smell it first, the rich, dark scent of coffee cutting through the sterile air. “Still burning the midnight oil?” Emily’s voice is low, textured with sleep. I look up, startled from my focus. “Couldn’t sleep,” I admit, rubbing at the tired ache behind my eyes. She approaches with two steaming mugs, lowering herself to sit beside me. Our shoulders press together. “I made extra.” I take the proffered mug, the ceramic warm against my palms. “You didn’t have to.” “I wan…