the start of a winter break
The first blanket of snow had covered the courtyard outside of the department building. Students who were cramming before finals sat scatter throughout the building, at every vacant space that provided a chair and table. However, the basement floor was void of nearly all signs of life beside one busy staff member. His dark brown hair still hand twinges of that ashen look from the summer months, having not yet recovered. His glasses had slipped down the bridge of his nose but he didn't seem to care. Two piles of papers sat on his desk. The one closer to his right arm were ungraded essay questions, the one smaller pile to the left were the finished one. An intern would be around at four o'clock to enter them into the school's system. He had less six hours to finish them all.
In truth the work was tiresome, he wanted to pass it off to his intern. But it was important he took the time to grade the essay question based off the student's knowledge so that if they were poor at remembering date they could still earn a few points in the essay. He had already been at it three hours before a knock at his office door had his attention pulled toward the noise.
"Come in," He replied sitting up to stretch his neck and back. Once the person entered a small smile covered his lips.
"Oliver, time to eat," Came the voice of Blaize Elliot who placed a container that seemed warm and inviting.
"I can't, I have to grade these paper before the end of the day," He answered, pushing the container back despite his stomach's protest.
"You can't grade paper when you fall over from starvation. Eat." Blaize told him again, his time taking the time to open the container. The hearty smell of warm stew filled the office space. Oliver looked between the stew then his paper and back again. Almost without hesitation, Blaize stepped around the desk to place his hand at the base of Oliver's neck. It was a gentle touch, intended to coax him to take a break.
"Fine," He grumbled but was unable to hold back the smile. Blaize placed a soft kiss to the back of Oliver's neck.
"Good, now while you eat I'll grade the papers. Essay questions right?" Blaize asked before taking Oliver's pen and exchanging it for a spoon. Oliver only nodded to reply to Blaize's question. His hands had cupped the container and were warming his fingers, the basement was often the coldest part of the building despite the heating.
For awhile Oliver ate his stew, clarified a few things with Blaize on how he wanted the papers graded. The stew itself was fantastic, one of the better meals he had at the office. Normally he'd sneak in a few bites of a sandwich between mountain of paper work or not eat at all. A habit that Blaize was actively trying to break.
Once the container was empty Oliver covered the container before sitting back in his chair. A content smile on his lips. Blaize looked up from the 4 essay he was working on to smile toward him.
"All done?" Blaize asked which Oliver nodded his head.
"Thanks for helping out,"
"Anytime, actually why don't I help you grade the rest of them and we can head home and start our winter break early," Blaize asked adding the essay to the done pile and picking up another.
"If you really want,"
"It's easier this way, I won't be making two trips to the university. The roads have gotten pretty bad," Blaize told him. Oliver smiled having a feeling it was because Blaize enjoyed his company even if they didn't talk. Perhaps in the two years they had lived together since his return Blaize had gotten used to his company. Oliver didn't press for questions instead he fished out another pen from his desk.
Together they were able to finish the paper work just after three-thirty. Oliver checked over his office one last time before turning off the light and heading out. Blaize right in front of him.
"Lets go home," Blaize whispered as he wrapped his arm around Oliver as the two made their way out of the building.
@ladykakata