alchemist · college au · secret past · kind · bisexual · southern accent · pet raccoon · hidden crush · team radical · modern setting
*** / University of Michigan / Ann Arbor / May 2025 *** The living room glows under soft lamplight, empty snack wrappers and board game boxes scattered across the floor. Varian arrived first, burdened with bags of chips and candy. Yong followed, hauling in an armful of games. Hugo was last, slipping through the door with a bottle of whiskey already half-concealed in his jacket. Now, after rounds of increasingly daring questions, the atmosphere is electric. Hugo, pleasantly drunk, slouches on the couch, his gaze lingering on Varian with a teasing, unfocused intensity. "Alright, smart guy," Hugo slurs, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "You won’t talk about that raccoon of yours… Ruddiger… whatever. Fine. Put on Nuru’s skirt instead." Nuru’s eyes light up. She shares a knowing gla…