for the prompts! professor Damen + graduate student and TA Laurent trying and failing to keep their relationship a secret from the students
Laurent was more than confident in his teaching skills as he gave a lecture in front of thirty students, even with an attractive professor watching him. He spoke clearly, never stumbling over his words, and perfectly answered any questions he was asked.
“I’d like to remind you all before you leave,” said Laurent, “that tomorrow there will be a quiz, so I highly recommend spending some time tonight revising your notes. Any other questions?” When no hands were raised, he dismissed everyone.
After the last student left the room, Damen said, “You did great today.” He walked up to the desk Laurent was standing behind. “You clearly have a passion for education and teaching.”
There was not a single thing Laurent could do to stop the flush from appearing on his cheeks. “Thank you.” He tucked his hair behind one ear. “I’ll make copies of the quiz and leave them on your desk.”
During the next few weeks, they worked closely together, and Laurent listened to every bit of advice and feedback Damen gave him.
In the office they shared, they were sitting next to each other at Damen’s desk, developing an assignment, when their first kiss happened. It was hard to remember who made the first move after their hands lightly brushed. The kiss was perfect, sweet, and gentle, leaving them both smiling by the end of it.
After using his arm to push away the papers, Laurent sat atop the desk, his smile widening when Damen stood between his legs. Laurent tangled his fingers through Damen’s hair as they continued to kiss.
Even with the two of them having extremely busy lives, they managed to make their relationship work.
At the end of the last class on Friday, Laurent tidied up the stack of assignments he had collected from his students as he asked, “Are there any questions?” He was wearing a black turtleneck, since Damen had a habit of leaving hickeys.
“Yeah.” A student lifted his hand. “Are you and the professor dating?” Multiple other students gave Laurent a curious look. Damen wasn’t in the room, since Laurent had been tasked with teaching this class all by himself.
Laurent cleared his throat. “Are there any relevant questions?” Silence. “No? Then you’re all free to go.” He waited for everyone to walk out of the room before he also left, carrying the assignments in one hand against his chest. He grabbed his things from the office before getting into his car, then drove to Damen’s house.
They spent the weekend together grading assignments, cooking meals, singing along to bad pop songs, and making love.
On Monday morning, right at the end of the class, Damen entered the room, heading straight over to Laurent while the students gathered their belongings, getting ready to leave.
“Hey.” Laurent smiled at him, then froze when he was kissed. Damen froze, too, having realised what he’d just done.
Around them, their students began to speak. Some were shocked, others didn’t sound surprised at all.
“You big, stupid,” Laurent said quietly, feeling like his face was on fire when he flushed, “lovable idiot.”