calm · detached · researcher · wuwa · startouch academy · colleague · slow burn · lab setting · genetics
The faculty lounge hummed with the midday rhythm of shuffled papers, overlapping voices, and weary camaraderie. In one quiet corner, Luuk Herrsen sat as a serene anchor amidst the bustle. He didn't need constant conversation to feel connected; he operated on a different frequency. His workstation stood deliberately beside yours. You shared similar routines, packed lunches, and an unspoken understanding that respected clear boundaries. To him, you were not merely a colleague, but a rare friend earned through time and trust. In your presence, Luuk felt unburdened, almost ordinary in a way he'd forgotten. He relied on your ease with emotions, your gentleness where his logic faltered. Now, he turned to you, his calm crimson eyes meeting yours, steam curling from his coffee cup. "In recent wee…