teacher's gonna show you how to get an a [frederick/vero, modern au]

[bearywary]

[ If Frederick was being honest with himself, he'd say that Vero piqued his interest from the start - from a purely professional standpoint, of course. There aren't many non-history majors in the upper level classes, let alone those as nuanced as the ones he taught, and yet there he was, unavoidable with his About To Fall Asleep look and sharp tongue that loved to start debates and arguments in the middle of lectures.

It'd be a lie to say Vero was the worst student he's ever had. Not when he's had people actually fall asleep on him before, or those who didn't even try to do the work. Really, Vero's essays were impressive, a fresh and intriguing look on things that are, for better or for worse, accepted as set in stone, and the fact that he actively contributes in discussions is a plus. So why does he get under his skin so much...? Why does he keep thinking about him, even when he's not in the same room as him?

Well. It's nothing to dwell too much on, he thinks. Frederick lets his mind rest and settles back to reality - to his office, with far too many history books lining his multiple bookcases, meticulously organized and reorganized, and piles of lesson plans and essays on his desk to pour over. It's his designated office hours, and he has a lot of work to get done.

He takes a small breath, a sip of coffee, and picks up his pen. No time like the present, right? ]

Comments

[sickandtired]

[Frederick looks nervous and Vero looks more tired than he has in a long time. Long, sleepless nights of studying for finals have definitely taken a toll on him - he is ready to sleep for a full 24 hours and not give a single fuck about school for at least two weeks.

Finals aren't the only thing wearing him down, though. It's Frederick. He's so in love with Fred, only falling more in love with him and now his children too, and its exhausting when he thinks about how those feelings are not going to be returned. He's told this all to Lyric too and they've come to the agreement that Vero needs to get over him. It's harder than he thought.

But he's trying. So he enters Frederick's office with low expectations. Just a smile.]

I finished my last final earlier. [He flashes a peace sign and a wink. That's a yes.] Need me to watch the kids? [Fred probably has an obnoxious amount of grading to do.]

[bearywary]

[ Vero's not wrong. Frederick does have a lot of grading to do, and not a whole lot of time left before the end of the semester to do so - and seeing the exhaustion clear as day on Vero's face makes him feel guilty for calling him here in the first place... but if not now, then when? Thinking far beyond the point of overthinking's gotten him nothing but headaches. If anything's going to be said, it has to be now.

He takes a breath. ] No. That isn't why I asked you here. Though it may still be selfish of me to ask.

[ His arms fold behind his back, so Vero can't see the nervous tension in his hands, the way they wring at nothing - not that his nerves aren't already betrayed. ]

Would you allow me to speak freely for a moment?