"Yes, I am aware. However—" Haru pauses, clearly searching for the right words. "My current roommates are experiencing some... adjustment difficulties regarding university social expectations."
The way he says it, all formal and careful, makes it sound like his roommates are suffering from a medical condition rather than just being socially awkward.
"So move into the house," James suggests, and his free hand waves vaguely at the chaos around us. Someone's attempting to play beer pong with solo cups arranged in a heart shape, the last tragic remnant of our Valentine's party weeks ago. "Plenty of room here. You could get a room before next year's pledges move in."
Haru's expression does something complicated. "I cannot abandon them. They are good friends, merely... unprepared for university culture."
Ooookay.
Because Haru so blends in with his formal speech patterns, bowing, and how he treats beer pong like a physics experiment.
"You should talk to Drew," the words come out before I can stop them. "Or Gavin. They're practically specialists in helping guys adjust to Greek life."
Why am I giving advice? When did I start caring about recruitment?James's fingers find a gap between my shirt and jeans, skin warm against skin, and oh.Right. That's why.Because apparently, being in a relationship has turned me into someone whoparticipates.
"I shall consider your suggestion most carefully." Another little bow. "Perhaps my roommates would benefit from suchguidance, though they are somewhat..." He pauses again, clearly struggling. "Socially unconventional."
"No judgment here," James says, and I can feel him trying not to laugh. "We've got guys who LARP on weekends."
"What is... LARP?"
"Live Action Role Play," I explain, then immediately regret it when Haru's eyes light up with interest.
"Ah! Yes, Leo participates in similar activities. He constructs elaborate costumes based on anime characters."
There's a beat of silence. Even the terrible EDM seems to pause.
"That's... cool," James manages, and I'm proud of him for not laughing. "Very creative."
"Indeed. I shall discuss this opportunity with them. Thank you most sincerely for your time."
He stands, bows again, deeper this time, and walks through the crowd carefully, like he's avoiding land mines. We watch him stop to examine the heart-shaped beer pong setup with scientific interest before disappearing into the kitchen.
"Socially unconventional," James repeats the moment he's gone. "His roommates are socially unconventional?"
"Be nice."
"I'm being nice! But come on—" His laugh vibrates through me. "Haru just spent ten minutes analyzing the optimal trajectory for beer pong. He bows every time someone hands him a drink. And hisfriendsare the awkward ones?"
"James."
"What's his basis for comparison? Does one of them communicate solely through interpretive dance?"
"You're terrible." But I'm fighting a smile, damn him.
"You love it." His lips find that spot just below my ear, and any remaining dignity evaporates. "Admit it… you're curious too. If Haru thinks they're awkward..."
"I'm not curious."Complete lie."I'm... academically interested in social dynamics."
"Bullshit." Another kiss, this one to my jaw. "You want to meet them. You want to see what counts as awkward in Haru's world."
"I want you to stop psychoanalyzing me at parties."
"No, you don't."
God help me, he's right. When did this happen? When did I become someone who sits on his boyfriend's lap at parties, gossiping about potential pledges, actually enjoying myself at a frat event?
"Fine," I concede, turning enough to catch his mouth properly. "Maybe slightly curious."
