Since the whole jacket thing, something shifted between Robin and Lyra on campus. Neither of them wanted to admit it—or maybe they didn't even realize it—but the change was definitely there.
Like that time Lyra was buried in work during a meeting, fingers flying over her laptop keys, sighing from exhaustion. Then suddenly... plunk! A cold cup of coffee spilled onto her desk.
She looked up to find Robin standing there, wearing that usual deadpan expression.
"Thought you'd fall asleep," he said casually, sliding into the chair across from her.
Lyra narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why the sudden kindness?"
Robin just shrugged, leaning back comfortably. "I don't want your work to fall apart from lack of sleep. Then I'd be the one dealing with the mess."
It sounded like a selfish reason, but it made some sense. Still, something felt a little off to Lyra. She decided not to question it and grabbed the can, murmuring, "Thanks."
Robin smirked before going back to his phone.
What Lyra didn't realize was he was sneaking glances at her out of the corner of his eye, waiting for some kind of reaction.
Of course, someone else was sharp enough to catch the shift.
During lunch in the campus cafeteria, Mei suddenly leaned in close to Lyra, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"So, Lyra…" Mei dragged out her words like a teaser. "Robin's been showing up around you a lot lately, hasn't he?"
Lyra almost choked on her food. "What? Why do you ask?"
Across from them, Adam glanced over but stayed quiet, clearly hearing everything.
Mei grinned slyly. "I heard from a little bird that Robin's been bringing you coffee pretty often."
Lyra glared. "Who told you that?"
Mei winked. "I have my sources."
Adam finally spoke, calmly sipping his coffee. "Lyra, this campus is tiny. People are starting to notice you two hanging out."
Lyra nearly dropped her fork. "What?!"
Mei clapped her hands excitedly like she'd just hit the jackpot. "Aww, this is getting good!"
Lyra ruffled her hair in frustration. "Nothing's happening! We just meet up a lot because of work!"
Mei's grin only got wider. "Sure, sure. Meeting up, getting coffee deliveries, rides home, jacket borrowing… what else?"
Lyra buried her face in her hands, groaning. "Enough, Mei... please."
As if on cue to make things worse, Robin happened to walk past their table right then.
He didn't stop or say a word, but when he saw Mei teasing Lyra till she almost melted, a small smile tugged at his lips.
He kept walking, but inside, one thing was becoming clear:
For some reason, he was starting to really enjoy having Lyra around.
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The sky hung low and gray as Lyra stepped out of the faculty building. The air felt cooler than usual, carrying the faint scent of wet earth. At first, she barely noticed the gloomy sky. But then—a drop landed on her cheek, then another on her hand—before the rain quickly turned into a steady downpour. She just stood there, frustration clear on her face.
"Really...? Why now?" she muttered, glancing around.
Some students were already pulling out umbrellas, strolling casually. The unlucky ones, like her, took shelter under the building's overhang.
Today was definitely not her day. In her rush this morning, she'd skipped checking the weather forecast like she usually did. Being late really caught up to her.
"You gonna stand there until it lets up?" A familiar voice made her turn. Robin stood in the doorway, his usual deadpan face softened by a faint smirk, eyes twinkling at her drenched state.
"I'm waiting for the rain to ease up."
He looked up at the darkening sky, then back at her with a skeptical glance. "What if it takes two more hours?"
"Well, I…"
Without warning, Robin grabbed his jacket and tossed it over her head.
"What…?! Hey!"
"Put it on. Now." Lyra pulled the jacket down from her head, staring at Robin in confusion. The black jacket felt heavier than she expected, still warm from his body.
"For what?"
He sighed like he was talking to a kid. "To run to the parking lot. You wanna catch a cold out here?"
Lyra hesitated, then glanced at the relentless rain. She could either stand there and get soaked or use his jacket as a shield—at least temporarily.
Reluctantly, she lifted the jacket over her head, doing her best to cover herself. Then she realized—it was too small to fully protect them both.
Before she could protest, Robin stepped closer, stood by her side, and lifted the jacket a little higher with one hand. "Come on, let's go."
So they walked close together, sharing one jacket against the rain.
Lyra felt Robin's shoulder brush hers now and then. Even with the cold air around them, his warmth felt incredibly close.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Just a little, of course.
Maybe...
After what felt like forever, they reached the parking lot. Robin pressed his car's remote, hazard lights blinking, then quickly opened the passenger door.
"Get in."
She didn't hesitate, sliding inside and curling up to soak in the cabin's warmth. Robin got in on the other side, tossed his wet jacket onto the back seat, and started the engine.
The rain's sound softened inside the car. They sat in silence for a moment, just listening to the rain's gentle patter outside.
Robin finally glanced her way. "Heading straight home?"
Lyra brushed damp strands from her face, thinking briefly. The rain was still heavy, and she felt chilled. Then she looked at him, hesitated, and said,
"Wanna come with me to my apartment? I've got tea or coffee if you wanna wait till the rain stops."
Robin raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the invite. Then a small smile tugged at his lips. "I like that."
With a press on the gas, the car sped off into the pouring rain.
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Lyra's apartment was small, but it had a certain charm. A little cluttered, but in a way that felt lived-in, not messy. Books were scattered across the table, a cardigan hung loosely over a chair, and a plate from breakfast still sat in the sink.
Robin stepped inside, hands tucked into his pockets, eyes drifting across the space. He didn't usually hang out in other people's places, but this one... somehow felt right.
Lyra kicked off her shoes and headed toward the tiny kitchen. "Sit wherever. I'll make something. Tea or coffee?"
"Tea," he said, already dropping onto the couch like he belonged there.
His eyes wandered again, this time catching little things—small stuffed animals on a shelf, polaroids stuck to the wall, thick books tucked into corners. All of it was so... her.
He caught himself smiling.
Lyra moved quickly in the kitchen, but her mind wasn't in it.
Why did I even ask him to come in?
She could've just said thanks and shut the door. Could've let him head home in the rain. But no—she let him in. Invited him, even.
And now he was here. Just a few feet behind her, quiet, waiting.
She could feel it.The air felt different.
Damn it. Why was her chest doing that weird tight thing?
"Lyra."
She jumped a little. "Huh? Yeah?"
"You live alone?" he asked, glancing around.
"Yeah. My parents are out of town."
He nodded. Didn't say more.
She brought over the tea and handed him a cup before sitting down beside him. Not too close. Just enough to make the space between them feel smaller.
"This is my favorite kind," she said.
Robin took a sip. Nodded. "Pretty good."
Lyra grinned. "Told you I've got great taste."
He chuckled under his breath, but didn't argue.
The rain outside hadn't let up. It tapped gently on the windows, soft and steady, filling the silence between them. Inside, everything felt warm. Still.
Lyra pulled her feet up onto the couch and leaned back slightly. "Still pouring."
Robin glanced at the window. "Yeah."
The quiet settled in again, but this time it didn't feel awkward. It felt... easy.
Robin looked down at his tea. Then, without thinking, glanced her way. And she was already looking at him.
Just for a second.
One beat. Two.
He didn't know why, but something in his chest fluttered—just a little. Like the space between them had shifted.
Lyra looked away first. Sipped her tea fast, like she was hiding behind the cup.
Robin smiled to himself. There was something weird about this moment. Not bad weird. The kind that made your heart feel a little louder.
Normally, anytime they were together, it was all jabs and snark. But now, with the rain, the warmth, and Lyra sitting there—quiet, calm—it felt different.
"I didn't think you'd actually let me wait inside," he said finally.
She rolled her eyes. "What, you thought I'd leave you out there in the rain?"
"Maybe." He shrugged. "You're not exactly known for your... warmth."
She shot him a look. "Wow. I'm not that heartless."
He smirked. "Didn't say heartless. Just... prickly."
"You're worse."
He just laughed quietly, letting it go.
For a while, they just sat in that silence again, sipping tea, listening to the rain.
Then Lyra did something unexpected—even to herself.
She curled her legs up and leaned her head back against the couch, eyes closing for a second.
"You tired?" Robin asked, voice softer than before.
"Nope." One eye peeked open. "Just... comfortable."
He didn't answer right away. But something about the way she said it made his chest do that dumb flutter thing again.
God, that's stupid. He wasn't supposed to feel like this.
But sitting here, with Lyra quietly leaning back, her face softer than usual, steam rising from her cup...Yeah. He kinda didn't want to leave yet. Maybe just a little longer.
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The room felt warm and still, the rain outside tapping softly against the windows.
Lyra sat on the couch, hugging her mug with both hands. Robin was on the floor, leaning back against the edge of the sofa, head tilted up slightly. The TV was on, playing some random movie neither of them cared about.
Lyra blinked slowly. Her body was starting to give in—heavy eyes, tired limbs. Eventually, her head dropped back against the cushion. The rain outside kept going, soft and steady, like it was lulling her to sleep.
Robin was half-focused on his phone until he noticed how quiet she'd gotten.
He glanced up.
She was out. Completely asleep, mug still in her hands, breath steady.
He didn't say anything. Just sat there, watching her for a second.
She looked different like this. No sarcasm, no eye rolls—just calm. Peaceful, even. A few strands of hair had fallen across her face.
His hand moved before he could think about it.
Fingertips brushed her hair back, tucking it gently behind her ear.
And just as he was about to pull away, she shifted a little, mumbling something under her breath and settling deeper into the couch.
Robin froze.
Was she awake? Nope, just sleeping.
He let out a breath and leaned back again, trying not to think too hard about whatever that moment just was.
Why did he even do that? And why was it getting harder to ignore this weird feeling he'd been having lately?
He looked back at the TV, pretending to care about whatever scene was playing—but his eyes kept drifting.
Back to her.
And he knew, something was different now. He just didn't know what it meant, but for some reason… he didn't hate it.
--------
The rain had mostly let up, just a few drops still dancing on the slick pavement outside. The sound of water tapping against the window had softened, no longer the steady downpour it was earlier. That damp, earthy smell still lingered in the air, mixing with the leftover chill that hung in the room.
Robin glanced outside, checking if it was finally safe to head out. He let out a slow breath, then turned back to look at Lyra, still curled up on the couch.
She looked more at ease now. The thin blanket he'd draped over her earlier was still wrapped around her shoulders. Her head rested lightly against the couch, her face calm, breath steady. Her eyes were barely open—caught somewhere between sleep and waking.
He stood and stretched a little before clearing his throat. "Think I should head out. Rain's calmed down."
Lyra shifted under the blanket, blinking slowly like her brain was still catching up. She looked up at him, a little dazed. "…Oh. Okay," she mumbled, voice thick with sleep.
Robin watched her for a beat. She really did seem okay now—quieter, softer than usual. He picked up his jacket from earlier, still a little damp but wearable. As he slipped it back on, he glanced at her again.
"You're alright?" he asked, voice low, a bit gentler than usual.
She blinked a few more times, trying to make sense of the words. It took a second before she gave him a small nod. "Yeah… Thanks for staying."
He smiled at that. 'geez,' he muttered, ruffling her hair like he always did now—almost without thinking.
Lyra just let out a soft grumble, pulling the blanket tighter, curling in like she was ready to fall back asleep. No real protest.
Robin shook his head, amused, and headed toward the door.
But just before stepping out, he turned back one last time. "Don't forget to eat something before you crash."
She gave some kind of noise in response—not quite a yes, not quite awake.
Then he was gone.
The door clicked shut behind him, quiet and final.
Lyra didn't move. Eyes closed now, her breathing even. But somehow, in the quiet he left behind, she could still feel it—
The warmth.
That faint trace of Robin still lingering in the room.
--------
The door shut quietly behind him, muffling the sound of light rain still tapping on the pavement outside. The warm smell of tea and home-cooked food drifted through the air, blending with the faint hum of the TV from the living room. This house had always felt like a soft landing—familiar, safe, something steady in a world that often wasn't.
Robin shrugged off his damp jacket and hung it by the door before heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.
As he poured it, a soft voice floated in from the living room. "Just got home, sweetheart?"
He glanced over. A middle age woman was standing in the doorway, her usual soft smile in place, eyes quietly scanning him like she always did.
"Yeah, I stopped by my friend's place," he said casually, taking a sip.
She walked over, her gaze flicking to his still-damp hair. "You got caught in the rain?"
He gave a small shrug. "Not really. Waited it out for a bit."
She sighed—gentle, knowing. "You've never liked the rain. Remember when you were little? As soon as the sky got cloudy, you'd rush home like the world was ending."
Robin chuckled under his breath. Yeah, that sounded about right. He was never the kind of kid who danced in puddles. Rain always made him want to curl up indoors with a book or just be alone.
"Your dad's in his study," she added. "You should drop by and say hi before heading to bed. He'd like that."
He nodded and made his way down the hall. The study door was slightly ajar, warm light spilling out. Inside, his dad sat behind his desk, glasses low on his nose, eyes scanning some document like he'd been doing it for hours.
Robin knocked lightly. "Still up, Dad?"
His father looked up and smiled. "Hey, Rob. Just got back?"
Leaning on the doorframe, Robin nodded. "Yeah."
His dad studied him for a second, something flickering in his gaze. "You look tired. But also... different."
Robin frowned. "Different?"
His dad leaned back, folding his arms. "Usually when you come home, you head straight to your room. Maybe strum that guitar a bit. Tonight, though… you've got that look. Like your mind's somewhere else."
Robin let out a quiet laugh. "Probably just tired."
"Could be," his dad said, still watching him. "But if there's something on your mind, you know we're here. No pressure."
"I know," Robin replied softly. "Thanks."
After a bit more small talk, Robin finally slipped into his room. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, he sat on the edge of his bed and exhaled deeply.
His thoughts circled back to earlier. Lyra half-asleep on the couch. That drowsy look in her eyes when he said goodbye.
It shouldn't have meant anything. Shouldn't be sticking to him like this.
But it did.
He dragged a hand over his face, then raked his fingers through his hair with a groan. "What the hell's wrong with me?"
But there were no answers waiting in the silence. Just the soft creak of the bedframe as he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, his mind refusing to settle.
--------
Lyra woke up with a shallow breath, eyes slowly adjusting to the dimness of her apartment. The faint glow from streetlights outside cast soft shadows across her ceiling.
For a moment, she just lay there, half-awake. Then a strange warmth crept into her chest—subtle but undeniable.
Robin.
Her mind snapped back to earlier hours—the sound of rain, the jacket draped over them, how she'd unconsciously leaned into him, how close they'd been in the quiet. And that gentle touch—his fingers running through her hair before he left.
She rubbed her face, trying to steady her suddenly racing heart.
Why was she still thinking about that?
With a sigh, she sat up slowly on her bed. Her eyes caught the two mugs on the table—one empty, the other half full, untouched.
Something inside her had shifted.
All this time, she'd seen Robin just as a coworker, someone she happened to interact with. Sure, he was kind, attentive in his own way—but was this... more?
Biting her lip, frustration crept in.
Damn it. This wasn't a usual feeling.
Her small hand reached for her phone beside the pillow, fingers hesitating before opening her contacts. Her gaze locked on one name: Robin.
Her fingers hovered over the message button.
She could send something simple.
"Made it home okay?" or maybe, "What are you up to?"
But doubt held her back. This wasn't the usual Lyra. Since when had she become like this?
After a few seconds of wrestling with herself, she slammed the phone back onto the bed, letting out a deep breath.
"What the hell's wrong with me?" she muttered, annoyed at herself.
Outside, the rain had finally stopped. Inside her heart, a new storm was just beginning.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***