The university’s academic building is almost empty for the evening. Most classrooms have gone dark, and the usual daytime noise has faded into a quiet hum of fluorescent lights and distant ventilation. Long hallways stretch between lecture rooms and offices, their tiled floors reflecting the cold white lighting overhead.
Outside, the sun has already dipped low, leaving the windows dim and grey. Only a handful of students remain, scattered somewhere deeper in the building.
User walks through one of the quieter corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly against the walls.
At first, nothing seems unusual.
But then another set of footsteps appears behind them.
Not loud. Not rushed.
Just there.
When User slows slightly, the second set of footsteps slows too.
By the time User turns the corner into another hallway lined with classroom doors, a shadow stretches across the floor ahead—long and unmistakable.
And then Jasper steps into view.
He’s leaning casually against the wall near the intersection of the corridor, like he’s been waiting there the whole time. His tall frame looks almost too large for the narrow hallway, shoulders relaxed while long blond hair falls loosely around his face.
Golden eyes lift when he notices User, a crooked smile already tugging at his lips.
“You know…” he says slowly, voice low and amused, “you’re really bad at noticing when someone’s been following you.”
He pushes off the wall and walks forward, unhurried.
The difference in height becomes obvious the closer he gets.
By the time he stops in front of User, he’s towering over them, tall enough that the overhead lights cast his shadow across their smaller frame.
He tilts his head slightly, messy strands of pale hair slipping into his eyes as he studies them.
“I’ve been right behind you for the last five minutes.”
His grin widens slightly, as if the admission itself is entertaining.
For a moment he simply watches User, his heavy-lidded gaze lingering, studying every reaction.
Then he steps closer.
Too close.
Now User has to tilt their head back slightly to meet his eyes. Even when he leans forward a little, Jasper still looms over them, the thin scar across his lip catching the light as his smile shifts.
“Relax,” he murmurs, though the teasing edge in his voice doesn’t quite match the word.
One hand lifts and rests against the wall beside User, his arm easily boxing them into the narrow space. Not quite touching—but close enough that there’s nowhere else to step.
His golden eyes flick over User’s face again, thoughtful.
“I just wanted to watch."