Corym noticed Milo first. 

He knew of him from random run-ins at Holn University, but never paid him much attention. He was a Keeper, so as nobility, of course everyone knew of him, at least. He was so high up the social ladder that Corym knew for a fact that there was no reason for Milo to recognize him for anything other than his unique lavender skin and colored hair.

The same reason why everyone else knew him, really.

Things changed the day Corym was told he was missing exactly one credit to start his final school year. 

"You can participate in a seminar," the university's councilor suggested. "They last less than an hour, so you need to watch at least four for that credit."

"... fine, okay."

Corym found the right auditorium at the right time, and sat in the back of the room, close enough to a window to be able to watch people go by in the courtyard outside. Most presentations went by in a blur - he somehow ended up listening in on natural science seminars, and none of them made sense to him anyway. It was a stark change of pace from his usual literature courses. Corym was drifting to sleep when the room was suddenly filled with what seemed to be a soft summer breeze. 

Corym looked around- every door and window was closed. 

"My apologies, I'm still learning to control that..." said the boy setting up his notes on the blackboard, clumsy and seemingly embarrassed. He was quite tall, thin, and had white tattoos swirling up his arms, stark against his toasted-almond skin. His long brown hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and his fingers and ears were covered in golden jewelry. None of it was tacky - of course, most Keepers knew how to show their status with class. His eyes were an unusual gold on one side and gray on the other, and his rectangular glasses were askew on his face. He seemed to notice and adjusted them awkwardly, hiding behind the most endearing shy smile.

That voice… he sounded like the one who tried to help him a few weeks ago… Had Milo Anani really...?

Corym suppressed a laugh. If anything, the presentation should at least be entertaining. 

Besides... he was quite easy on the eyes. 

But instead of comedy, Corym found a different source of interest. 

While listening to the presentation about wind patterns, he found a tiny habit of Milo's; every so often, after finishing a particularly tedious explanation, or getting an approving nod from his professor, his lips would twitch into the tiniest smile, that he would suppress almost immediately.

It was almost too cute, and in any case, it was fun to keep a tally of how many times it happened. 

27 within half an hour.

During the question round, words blurred into complicated scientific jargon once again, and the breeze picked back up. He had to admit, it was quite enjoyable in the stuffy room. He kept his eyes on Milo, quietly enchanted by the warmth of his voice and his smallest smiles.

"Any last questions?" Milo asked, scanning the room. 

After an awkward silence, Corym stood up, with no particular question in mind. "Corym Bloom, here for credit. I don’t really have a question, but since everyone else here seems content with your work, I was wondering-" 

A bell rang in the distance. 

Finally. 

Corym didn't take long to leave the room for some fresh air. Around the corner, he saw Milo standing next to a blue-haired elf and a rather energetic halfling. 

There was that sweet little grin again. 

Corym smiled to himself, and felt them then. The first butterflies in his stomach; the first in years, in fact. 

Butterflies that didn't leave when he noticed the elf put her arms around him, despite not seeming particularly enamoured. A girlfriend? Maybe. In any case, the noble was clearly taken by another. His heart dropped at the realization that nothing would be possible with the cute scientist that made him smile with nothing more than a grin he did everything he could to hide away from the world.

Disappointed, he walked away, feeling them still.

"Wait!"

Corym paused as he heard Milo call out to him. The noble had caught up to him. If he recognized him from when he got embarrassed in the dining hall, he didn't mention it. The butterflies made their way up into Corym's chest, despite him doing everything to keep them calm.

"Can I help you?"

"I-" that damned smile would ruin him. "I suppose I'm here to help you. You said you had a question? Or, well, that you were wondering something?"

"... I was wondering what inspired you to see wind as a pattern at all." And if you were free to get coffee with me, and why you feel the need to hide your smile, and so, so much more.

Milo shrugged shyly. "I mean... I suppose it's art? Keeper of the Arts and such..."

Corym grinned. "How very poetic."

"Or forced."

A bell tolled in the distance, marking the hour. He was already late for class.

Stars above he could not care less.

"I suppose I'll see you around?"

"I suppose, yes."

Corym smiled and bowed his head towards Milo, before making his way towards his class. His smile only widened with every step he took, as for the first time in a little too long, he let himself be entirely enchanted by his encounter.