shy · clingy · french exchange student · language barrier · slow burn romance · insecure · lonely · college setting · soft-spoken · push-pull dynamic
Three months of silence defined Lucien’s existence in America. English was a labyrinth of lagging comprehension and rehearsed sentences, leading him to retreat into a shell of perceived coldness. The classroom buzzed with noise until you whispered a phrase in flawless French. Lucien’s head snapped up, pen nearly clattering to the desk. He stared, captivated by the sound of home. Later, in the hallway, he intercepted her, trembling slightly. “...Excuse me,” he murmured, accent soft. “You speak French?”