Imagine Gazerbeam, or Simon J. Paladino as your Law Professor.
When you first took up law, you knew you signed up into a career that tethered between the line of being 'the dream' or something straight from the depths of hell. Those four years of getting your undergraduate degree was brutal, and you felt as if your mid 20's were being stolen away from you — you expected it to be filled with partying and enjoying your life — yet here you were, and you were expecting law school to be ten times worse than undergrad.
Against all odds, you found yourself eager to attend a certain class everyday. All because of a certain professor named Simon J. Paladino. He looked like he was in his early 30's, the sharpness of his appearance along with the stern look on his face radiated intimidation amongst every single student in your course.
You saw through that, though. He had this burning passion that every single student saw. The way he taught, the way he engaged with his students, it captivated everyone in the room. His skills were extraordinary, and he soon became the person you admired, the person YOU wanted to be.
He always remained professional, yet approachable — his stoic expression and his avoidance of eye contact always gave the opposite impression, though.
When it came time to the bar exam, you were all jittery and anxious, your WHOLE career depended on this test. Simon couldn't help but notice the way you zoned out in class like something was clouding your thoughts. His eyes would flicker to your frame every few minutes. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was wrong, he pieced it together after being informed about the upcoming bar exam. Glancing at the internship letter on his desk, he decided to give yours a little earlier than the others.
Your heart raced as he called on you. You watched the others walk out of the lecture Hall, leaving just the two of you there. You watched as he took a folder from his desk, scanning ii.
"I wasn't supposed to give this to the chosen students this early, yet I noticed how worrisome you've been— which I assume is from the upcoming bar exam, no?"
He was spot on, and you were astonished by how much he truly paid attention to you. You would be lying if you didn't admit that you felt flattered, your heart beating a few bpm faster. You knew he was just trying to be a good professor, looking out for his students, but your heart was in the wrong place.
"Yes— I'm sorry, I must've looked extremely uninterested or zoned out if you noticed—"
"No, no need for the apologies. I felt the same way as you when I had to take the bar exams."
A polite smile crept up to your face, the feeling of being seen and validated easing your worries.
"This is for you. You're one of the five students I've chosen for an internship at the law firm I work with. Your performance at this class is quite applaudable, I'm sure your other professors have seen it aswell."
Your eyes widened as you opened the folder, seeing the letter with YOUR Name on it! You almost screamed, this was it! Your eight years payed off, you're one step closer to finally becoming a lawyer, and working alongside your professor, nonetheless.
You looked up at him, tears threatening to spill from your eyes as you thanked him over and over again. His eyes constantly avoided yours, but a small smile was evident on his face as he patted your hands softly.
As you were still learning the ropes of working under a law firm, Simon was always there to guide you, even when he wasn't your professor anymore. He never shouted, never got impatient. He taught you with the same care and passion as he once did before, and the accidental touches between the both of you made your head spin.
After a few months under the law firm, you were assigned your first case, and it was both thrilling and a nightmare. There were nights where you didn't get any sleep as you reviewed the case meticulously, staying back in the office with your lamp the only light source as your eyes grew heavy. Your efforts didn't go unnoticed, as you began to see Simon head home later just to ask about your case.
You were eager to open up to him, as you felt so unprepared. He saw the opposite, a strong-willed lawyer with the determination he wish he had. He wasn't keen on telling you this as he didn't know how to bring it up. To tell you the truth, once he saw you in the office as eager as he once was a few years ago, his heart swelled. The past few months, his once conflicted and mixed feelings towards you began to untangle into a straight answer he wasn't ready to accept. Okay— maybe he did like you, or maybe even more than that. But it never crossed his mind to tell you, in fact he'd taken it out of his options because he didn't want to bother you with more problems as you transitioned into becoming a lawyer.
No. He'd yearn learn to live with it. Push it down.
But it was unbearable, and no use. Every glance he'd steal, every joke you'd crack, every conversation — big and small — he'd think about as he lay awake at night. He'd even burnt a couple holes through his walls because he didn't realize he was staring so intensely at it.
You noticed it, too. How he started to become withdrawn with you. You retraced your steps at night, wondering where it all went wrong. Did you get too comfortable, make a stupid decision or an idiotic comment? And it killed you not knowing how to approach it without looking like a lunatic.
You had to push this problem aside to focus on your case, but it was slowly eating you from inside, feeling that the bridge between you and him was starting to loosen.
Your trial came and went. The win you had so desperately hoped for didn't come— yet. The judge ordered a continuance to another date, and the anxious feeling had to simmer in your stomach for a few days more.
You sat at your desk, reviewing every single detail of the case meticulously for what felt like the millionth time until you heard your name called out by a familiar voice.
Simon called out your name, and you looked up to meet his gaze— which he quickly broke again.
"It's late, why aren't you home?"
His hands met, as he massaged the space between his thumb and index finger — something he did to minimize that anxious feeling.
"I'm reviewing the documents from today's case— I don't understand why the judge ordered a continuance, the evidence was laid clear in front of her!— I.. I just—"
You huffed a defeated sigh, closing the folder. You felt the press of a hand on your back, and Simon spoke up.
"Immersing yourself in this problem will only make you worry more. I admire your determination more than anything, but even the greatest need a break sometimes. When I deal with cases like these, I like to seperate myself for a while and feel atleast a bit of relaxation. Theres a small book cafè down the corner, it's quiet and I've tasted its coffee more times than I've made my own."
He'd let out a smooth chuckle, before continuing.
"May I keep you company and take you there? You don't have to worry about paying, I just want you to have a break. "
He was right. Overworking yourself would only lead to burning out— and.. maybe you had debated with yourself a million times in your head whether or not to take him out for a coffee— or any hang-out.
You said yes eagerly— maybe a bit too eagerly — which caused him to chuckle once more, a smile creeping up on his face. The pressure of the trial, the drowsiness and the effects from a lack of sleep felt insignificant to the joy you felt in that very moment.
Maybe a coffee with him was all you needed.
a/n: wrote this with ZERO editing because I just had to brain dump to make room for more info 😭
saw @gingeralefien 's fic about prosecutor! reader and gazerbeam and I IMMEDIATELY got inspired. 🫶 thank you for contributing to the body of the incredible's fics. Pleaseee go check them out! 🥹
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