Work Text:
Devi woke up to her phone chiming. She had spent the night in Ben’s dorm on a weeknight, a rare occurrence that was only possible thanks to her professor taking off for maternity leave. Unfortunately, Ben still had to go to class.
Gross 💙, 8:05 a.m.
babe, remember to eat breakfast!
i still have two more classes today, then i’ll be home
I miss you <3
Devi smiled, glancing over at the kettle and pastries Ben had left for her on his desk.
David 🧡, 8:10 a.m.
i found the croissant and the tea
is it masala chai?
Gross 💙, 8:10 a.m.
mhm
i really like it and I know you do too.
David 🧡, 8:10 a.m.
i'm going to eat and then prowl through your stuff
😈
Gross 💙, 8:10 a.m.
you can go through whatever you want, as long as you don’t mess up my organization
i’ll bite you if i can’t find my notes
David 🧡, 8:10 a.m.
no point in sabotaging you now since i can’t beat you for valedictorian *again*
Gross 💙, 8:11 a.m.
you’re so funny
David 🧡, 8:11 a.m.
i know i am ❤️
but seriously, i know your notes are too sacred to mess with
Gross 💙, 8:11 a.m.
exactly.
David 🧡, 8:11 a.m.
that was such a shitty comeback lmao???
was it even a comeback?
Gross 💙, 8:11 a.m.
not everything needs to be a comeback
meanie mouse :(
David 🧡, 8:11 a.m.
wtf does that even mean
you’re really off your game today
Gross 💙, 8:12 a.m.
i blame you
you made me watch too many disney movies
David 🧡, 8:12 a.m.
you know you like tangled, it’s such a good movie!
Gross 💙, 8:12 a.m.
i cannot confirm nor deny
David 🧡, 8:12 a.m.
hey, at least i stopped you from winning this banter sesh
and they say bullying doesn’t work
Gross 💙, 8:12 a.m.
omg david
David 🧡, 8:12 a.m.
what?
David 🧡, 8:18 a.m.
no way you just said that and left me on read
asshole
Gross 💙, 8:19 a.m.
but it’s so funny 🙁
David 🧡, 8:19 a.m.
i’m sure.
what were you going to say?
Gross 💙, 8:19 a.m.
just that if someone hacks us they’re gonna think we hate each other
David 🧡, 8:19 a.m.
???
why is that your first thought when it comes to being hacked
and hey at least the hackers will know we’re funny 😤
Gross 💙, 8:20 a.m.
you are so weird.
i still love you though 🥰
David 🧡, 8:20 a.m.
you're weirder but ok
i love you too, asshole
😘
Devi climbed out of bed and slipped on a Columbia hoodie that Ben had left on his desk chair. If there was one thing about New York that wasn’t like home at all, it was the cold winters. She walked over to the little library of books they’d been collecting, trying to choose one to read while she waited for Ben to return. She’d finally convinced him to go to a secondhand book store, so now she had plenty of options. She skimmed past some of her favorites, like Today Tonight Tomorrow (which reminded her of her and Ben) and found a high school classic, To Kill a Mockingbird . She was in the mood for some nostalgia, so she picked it up and got cozy on the bed with the book and her treats that Ben had left. She began reading, and after a few pages a card fell out. Curious, she picked it up.
When she realized it was the compatibility card from sophomore year, she was confused. Why would he still have this?
She was about to send Ben a funny text about it, just to poke fun at him, but when she flipped it over, she was in shock. It had her name on it. It didn't say Aneesa Qureshi , but rather Devi Vishwakumar.
So she was Ben’s perfect match. She didn’t need a card and some MIT scientists to tell her that, but damn it felt good. She giggled to herself and blushed, realizing that Ben must’ve kept it all this time because it was so special to him. And he agreed with it! Sure, she was a mature adult now- well, okay, the ‘mature’ part is debatable- and knew that their relationship was more than a card and some sophomore year compatibility quiz, but it was just so adorable.
Devi smiled happily as she laid back on Ben’s bed.
"Alexa, play Daylight by Taylor Swift."
............
Devi was wrapped in blankets, almost asleep and book in hand on Ben’s bed when he got home. He smiled at the sight of her. He rarely got to come home to the love of his life after a long day of classes, but today he did.
(When they finally moved in together, that was his favorite part, getting to come home to her everyday. But that’s in the future, let’s stick to college for now.)
"God, I'm freezing to death, you look so snuggly!"
Devi laughed.
"Come here, but take off your cold clothes first.”
“What, trying to get me naked?” Ben laughed as he pulled off his winter jacket. She rolled her eyes at his little joke. He left only his t-shirt and sweatpants on and cuddled up next to her, trying to get as much of the warm blanket as possible. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and smiled, "Are we watching something?"
Devi smiled, leaning on his shoulder. "Nope, I'm reviewing for my Ethics class. But look, I found something!"
"Oh, and what did you find?"
Devi held the valentine card in her hand, extending it to him. "You kept it!"
Ben smiled at Devi, blushing. "Oh, wow, I haven’t seen that in a while. But yes, I kept it. I don’t know why, but even when I was with Aneesa it made me happy to see that something said we would find our way back to each other. I mean, this card says we’re meant for each other.”
“Good thing you’re obsessed with me, then.”
"Not more than you're with me"