Jared: Hey Richard. I was wondering if you wanted to go get coffee with me?

Richard: Sure. When

Jared: I am not sure. Whenever you are available

Richard: What about after class? Ron has to be at Stanford Law School for the whole day on Wednesday

Jared: Sounds great! :)

"Hello Richard." Jared greeted as he approached their spots.

"Jared." Richard replied as he reached his seat and sat down.

"How are you?" Jared asked as he put his satchel down.

"Umm..." Richard hummed. "I am okay. How are you?"

"I am doing amazing." Jared smiled. Richard nodded, and then looked back at the computer.

For the rest of class, Richard didn't talk to Jared.

"Are you ready to go?" Jared asked as class ended.

"Uh yeah.. Let me just-" Richard cut himself off as he saved his code one more time.

Jared nodded and smiled. "You know I always wondered how you pay attention to the lectures while coding. It's quite calming to see you type away."

"It's a thing.." Richard explained, "It's not that hard, you just have to get used to it."

Jared nodded, and opened the door for the two. "So Ron's out for the day?"

"Yeah, he has-is starting some internship, since he is about to start like this summer." Richard explained, "I am glad that he got to-uh started early, I knew he was fixated on it."

"I mean it sounds like a good offer." Jared replied as they headed towards the stairs. "So I only know the coffee shop like a block from here, but if you have a different request, we can go there instead."

"Yeah.." Richard began to step to the lower floor. "Mitch's? They are a bit far walking but they are quiet and have a great environment."

"If you want to go there, we can go. I don't mind walking there with you." Jared replied as they reached the lower level.

"Oh hey Richard." Bighead greeted as he approached Richard.

"Bighead? Hey! What are you doing here?" Richard asked as he walked towards the guy.

"I got lost. This… this isn't supposed to be my building." Bighead explained.

"I can tell." He replied. "Where are you going?"

"Zansvoths." Bighead replied. Richard looked confused and asked, "Wait who-"

"The chemistry professor?" Jared cut in.

"Uhhh yeah. I had to meet her in her office." Bighead looked up at Jared.

"Oh her office is actually near the admissions office...which is strange, I know." Jared stated. "So you are way off."

Bighead chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so. Hey, who are you?"

Richard gasped, and cut in. "Oh right. That's uh.. That's-Jared this is Bighead, Bighead this is Jared."

"Hi Jared." Bighead awkwardly reached for Jared's hand.

"Hi… Bighead." He replied as they shook hands. Richard bit his lip.

"So I'll see you at home?" Bighead asked as he looked back at Richard, to whit he nodded and looked back at the exit.

"Okay bye Bighead." Richard stated before walking away. Jared looked at Bighead, and gave him a wave before catching up to Richard.

"He seems like a nice guy." Jared stated as they began to walk off campus.

"Yeah he is. He's been my best friend for years. We grew up in Oklahoma together." Richard explained.

"Oh really?" Jared looked back at the shorter man.

"Yeah. He also just so happens to be my roomate." Richard commented. By the time they arrived to the coffee shop, Jared didn't know what to talk about.

"Soo… what do you recommend?" Jared asked as they both got in line.

"They uh-the coffee is good. Umm, honestly anything is. Their Chai tea is pretty good."

"Alright then."

"This is a good place." Jared commented as they sat down at a table in the corner.

"It's quiet." Richard stated as he pulled out his computer.

"Yeah.." Jared looked back at Richard, who was furiously typing. "How do you do it?"

"How do I do what?"

"You type so quickly. How do you… plan?"

"I think about it beforehand. I'm normally thinking about it even when I am not at a computer." Richard explained, looking up to see Jared admiring him, to which he blushed and looked back down.

"I think you are amazing." Jared blurted out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything I-"

Richard cut him off by saying, "No! No, it's fine. You aren't making me uncomfortable. I think that you are quite amazing yourself."

"Oh thank you Richard." Jared smiled.

Richard bit his lip, and pulled out his notebook before writing something down.
Jared eventually pulled out his laptop and began a spreadsheet that was due soon.

"...Why did you transfer?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why did you transfer? To Stanford. Especially for your last year. Wouldn't it make it a bit harder to get the degree? There are different requirements for each school." Richard explained as he moved the laptop to one side.

"Oh." Jared looked up from the computer. "Well, Vassar was amazing. I loved their Economics program, and their Arts program but.."

Richard had a confused expression. "So what's the point?"

"But it didn't feel right. I-I wanted to experience more. I wanted a dangerous path for a little. I wanted to meet new people. And, I mean this is Silicon Valley, this is the best place to be right now." Jared explained, "I had to take a few more classes, yes, but I feel like it's all worth it."

"I get it." Richard nodded. Everything was going fine until about forty minutes later when Richard abruptly got out of his seat.

"Shit. I have to go now." Richard stated as he put his laptop away.

"Wait what?" Jared looked up, very confused. "Richard what's wrong?"

"The terminal is on the wrong station. It wasn't the code. It was the program used for the code." Richard explained as he pushed in his chair. "I have to go now."

"Okay, okay." Jared replied, "Do you want me to walk with you to your dorm? Are you okay with that?"

Richard hesitated before saying, "Yes."

"Okay, alright, let's go then." Jared replied as he quickly packed up and followed Richard out. "Where do you live?"

"I live in the apartments in Governor's Corner." Richard commented. "Oh my god. I am so stupid! Why did it take me so long to realise the problem? Are you kidding me? I just wasted so much time!"

"At least you found the error, it-"

"Ugh…." Richard rubbed his left wrist and unconsciously walked faster, which was fine for Jared.

"Richard it's fine, what you are about to do is not going anywhere, and it's going to work out." Jared explained as he slowly began to speed walk to catch up to Richard, who began to run.

"I know, I know, I know, but that's not enough!" Richard replied.

Once they arrived, Richard was out of breath. "Wait….Jar-Jared hold up." Richard pulled out his key and opened the door. He quickly went inside and left Jared out. About thirty seconds later, Richard came back to the door without anything.

"Thank you." Richard stated as he got closer to Jared.

"Oh it was my pleasure Richard. I don't care where we go, as long as we are together." Jared smiled.

Richard nodded, and got even closer. "Umm." He rose his right hand and pat Jared's right shoulder. Jared smiled even wider.

"This might be out of line, but… can I have a hug?" Jared asked as he opened his arms.

Richard laughed. "Yes." He awkwardly shuffled closer to Jared. Once they hugged, Richard tensed up.

"I am sorry if you don't like the way I am holding you. Please tell me to move to your comfort. Or if I am making you uncomfortable." Jared explained as he loosened his hold.

"No. I like your touch. But not there." Richard explained.

"Oh. Okay." Jared moved his arms a little higher up.

"No." Richard stated.

"Here?"

"No."

"Okay, here?"

"That feels wrong."

"Okay, what about here?" Jared asked and as he then moved his arms lower.

"Wait." Richard replied, and he moved a little, and began to relax. "Okay."

"Okay?" Jared asked as he tightened his grip.

Richard hummed. "Okay."

They stood by the door for a few minutes, and Richard's breath evened out, and he pushed himself away.

"Okay." Richard looked at the floor. "Thank you….Jared."

"It was my pleasure Richard."

"Okay. Bye!" Richard hummed, and left.

"Bye Richard." Jared stated to the door, slowly walking away. As soon as Jared took the steps to the ground floor, he heard two other men walking into the complex.

"Fuck you Gilfoyle, you don't know shit."

"Oh I am sorry, who the fuck did Richard say knew more-"

"Okay fuck you, thats only one example. Besides that's all you know."

Jared frowned, and proceeded.

The next time Jared saw Richard, it's in the dining hall. Richard was sitting at the furthest table along with a few people. Jared was meeting with Jason, as he had the same science class project.

"I still think my margin of error is smaller, so we should use my method." Jason explained as Jared sat down.

"If you really want to, we can, but I think I used the Chi Square correctly." Jared explained.

Jason sighed, but agreed. They finished their meeting about fifteen minutes later.
"Alright, I'll see you bro." Jason stated as he took the papers and left.

"Alright, goodbye." Jared replied as he waved, and got up, and looked back at the furthest table, to which Richard and his friends were still there. Jared hesitated, and eventually began to walk towards the table.

"H-hey Richard." Jared greeted when he was close enough to the table.

Richard looked back, and saw Jared.
"Oh hi Jared." He had a half smile on his face.

"How are you?" Jared asked.

"Jared! My dude! Sit." Ron greeted as he gestured towards the seat next to Richard.

"Okay." Jared stated as he approached the seat and sat down.

"I am okay, what about you?" Richard asked as he shuffled around in his seat.

"I'm a bit stressed, nothing I can't manage." Jared replied with a smile.

"Hmm. Richard, who is this weird looking man doing, sitting at my table?" Erlich asked as he inspected Jared.

"Oh right." Richard nodded, "Guys this is Jared, Jared that would be Erlich, Dinesh, Gilfoyle, Bighead and Ron."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you all." Jared looked around.

"Of course it is." Erlich replied, "Who the fuck are you anyways?"

"Well I am Jared Dunn. I have a class with Richard." He explained as he stiffened up a little.

"Guys." Richard looked at them.

"Hmmmm." Gilfoyle replied, looking straight at Jared.

"Aren't you one of the brogrammer fuckers?" Erlich asked.

"I'm sorry?" Jared asked.

"You hang out with brogrammers, so you must be a brogrammer." Dinesh explained.

"Oh. No? What is this brogrammer term?" Jared asked.

"Pieces of shit that write almost as shit code as Dinesh, who also work out." Gilfoyle explained.

"They mostly work at Hooli, and they don't necessarily have to code, they can set up shit software like you." Dinesh looked back at Gilfoyle.

"My software can take so much more if you-"

"Okay guys…" Richard shook his head side to side. "Basically a brogrammer is a douche who thinks that they are better than everyone else because they work out and drink protein shakes."

"There we go." Ron nodded.

"Oh." Jared looked around. "Yeah no, I'm not a brogrammer? I don't write code. I'm no CS Major."

"Oh." Gilfoyle looked straight at him, "So what the fuck are you doing at Stanford?"

"Exactly. Fuck you Jared." Erlich stated.

"I am getti-"

Bighead cut off Jared, "Wait, but Erlich, you aren't even a student here. And Ron is a law major, so…?"

"Hmmm." Erlich rolled his eyes. "Well fuck all of you, especially you." Erlich pointed at Jared. "My job here is done." He stood up from the table, and left.

"Wait, Erlich, I left my phone at your house!" Bighead stood up and followed him out.

"But… you didn't do anything." Richard commented, looking up at Erlich leaving.

Ron smiled and grabbed Richard's wrist. "That's the point."

Jared looked back at Richard.

"Wait, so you didn't answer our question." Dinesh stated, looking back at the economist. "Are you a brogrammer or…?"

"Oh! Yeah, no. I.. I am far too slender to be a brogrammer, and again I can not code, so I do not qualify for that." Jared shook his head.

"Oh shit!" Ron looked at his phone, as an alarm went off, "I'm out, I'll see you guys later." Ron stood up and pat Richard. "Bye Richie."

"Oh fuck," Richard looked at Ron. "It's already twelve thirty?"

"Bye Richie!" Ronn stated one more time, before waving and half running out of the building.

The rest of the people awkwardly stared at each other, until Gilfoyle finished his drink and stood up. "I for one will not stay and create a cult right now. I am leaving now, without saying bye to you Jared."

"Wait, Gilfoyle," Dinesh stood up and followed him out.

Richard nodded, and tugged at his sleeves. "So…."

"Do you want to go out with me?" Jared asked. "Wait! No! Not like that! I meant.." He awkwardly chuckled before blushing. "I meant, would you like to… I don't know.. Do you want to just hang out?"

Richard stayed quiet for a second, before nodding, "Yeah, sure. I mean, I have a few hours to burn, or more like three, I have a class at 3:30."

"Okay." Jared nodded. "Umm, do you wanna walk around?"

"Uhh.." Richard stood up, "Yeah, s-sr-ure. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?"

Jared and Richard from then on occasionally texted. It would normally be about class, asking questions even though they were both proificent and understood the recent concept well.

Next time Jared saw Richard was when their Linear Algebra class came up again. Jared walked towards the class a few minutes earlier, hoping to see Richard. When he approached the class, he came to see Bighead and Richard walking towards it.

"Oh hey guys!" Jared greeted as he walked towards the two.

"Oh fuck!" Richard half yelled as he ran towards the nearest bathroom.

"Ummm?" Jared looked back at Richard leaving and then back to Bighead.

"Oh that's just him…" Bighead nodded, "I think he ate cilantro at lunch."

"Cilantro?"

"His stomach is weird, it doesn't digest Cilantro." Bighead explained.

"Ohhh." Jared nodded, mildly concerned. "Should we… should we go check on him?"

"Oh yeah." Bighead began to walk towards the bathroom.

"Richard?" Bighead asks as they walk into the nearest men's bathroom.

"Hey Richard, are you okay?" Jared asked, going further into the restroom, to whit they received no response.

"...Hold up." A groggy voice replied a hot minute later.

"Richard?" Jared followed the voice.

"Yeah.. lemme just.." Richard gagged.

A few minutes later, Richard got out of the stall.

"Sorry. The goddamn cilantro."

"I told you not to eat the-" Bighead stated as Richard walked towards the sink.

"Yes. Goddamn it I already heard you Bighead." Richard replied, rinsing his mouth.

"Hey I am just saying." Bighead defended.

"Are you okay Richard?"

"Yes." Richard. "It's fine. Everything is fine." Richard replied. "Oh fuck, I think we are late."

"It is 12:45." Bighead looked at his phone.

"It's fine, take your time Richard." Jared stated, hesitating, almost as if he wanted to touch Richard to comfort him.

"Oh fuck." Richard rinsed his mouth one more time. "Yeah we should get going."

"Take your time, it's fine. We can be a little late." Jared touched Richard's arm. "It's alright."

Two lectures later, Richard walked into the lecture ten minutes late. He almost ran to his seat, adjusting his satchel. He was wearing different clothes. He wore black straight jeans, and a t-shirt with black boots, which was something that Jared found weird as he had never seen Richard out of a button up with a sweater over it.

"Richard? Are you okay?" Jared asked as Richard set his satchel on the floor and opened his laptop.

Richard gave no response.
"Richard?" Jared asked as he touched Richard's shoulder. The reaction was almost immediate. Richard flinched away from his touch, and then began to humm.

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry! I didn't know!" Jared stated as Richard began to humm louder.

As whispers got louder, Richard looked around, and became quiet. He bit his lip and tapped his leg. Ten minutes later, Richard shuffled and rubbed his wrists roughly, humming very quietly. Jared was so worried, but didn't know how to help Richard. Soon after, the right door for the lecture room entered. Ron searched for Richard, and quickly stepped down, and sat next to Richard.

"Richie, I am so sorry! I know, fuck I know buddy. Let's go, yeah? I brought clothes. Let's go. Fuck. I really am so sorry Richard." Ron calmly stated as he reached for Richard's wrist. "Fuck, wait, are you bleeding? Shit. Richie, come on, lets get you cleaned up yeah?" Ron gently tugged at Richard to get up.

Richard shook his head, but eventually got up with Ron. The professor looked up at them, but didn't mention it, almost as if he knew what was going on.

"Jared can you watch his things? He'll be back soon." Ron asked as Richard and him got out of the row.

"I'm so sorry." Ron stated as he looked at the students nearby. "Okay, Richie come on."

Half an hour passed when the door to the lecture room opened one more time. It was Richard by himself. He walked straighter, and calmer. He had changed clothes; he was back with a olive button up and grey zip up hoodie, and blue skinny jeans. He soon approached his seat and sat down.

"Hey. I'm glad you're back." Jared commented. "I'll send you what you missed, okay?"

Richard looked back at Jared, and nodded.
"Alright, sounds great." Jared replied, looking back at the professor, relieved that Richard got what he needed.

This was the first time Richard had gone nonverbal with Jared, and it had gone great.

Again, comments are always appreciated!