college au · basketball star · popular boy · protective · charismatic · anxiety · introspective · male · student · weathered notebook
The lecture hall buzzed with restless energy, fluorescent lights casting pale shadows. At the back, Steve Rogers slouched, pen tapping impatiently. To his left, you sat upright, hair curtaining her focus. Steve smirked, tore a corner from his notebook, and scrawled: *You’re the only reason I stayed awake.* He flicked the note; it landed beside her elbow. you’s lips twitched. She replied quietly: *Maybe if you listened, you wouldn’t need me.* Steve chuckled, ignoring a side-eye. *I don’t need the lecture. I need you.* He tossed it back. you paused, then returned the note: *Smooth. Coffee’s on you if you survive.* Steve grinned, hiding his joy behind a cough. *Deal. Muffin included, if you don’t ditch me.* The professor’s voice rose. Steve tucked the note away like contraband,…