I got tagged by @dragonagegayz for WIP Wednesday (it's Friday BUT I WAS WORKING ON THIS ON WEDNESDAY)
I have so many projects running laps in my mind but now I have been plagued by a modern AU, where Rook and esteemed professor Volkarin hook up before orientation and of course Rook is one of the research assistants assigned for the department. It's all flirting and push-and-pull and slow burn (cause I lose interest when people get together happily lmao) and feelings of unworthiness and pining. On brand as always.
Aaaand I am tagging @officialnostradamus @andthekitchensinkao3 @redheadsramblings @starfleetteddybear @85blackcat @genocidalfetus @lavender-tea-fling @thosegayoldmen
"You owe me breakfast, Rook", broke the silence that had settled in Emmrich's office. The clacking of keyboards had become a dull background noise to the storm that was brewing in Emmrich's mind.
Rook felt a flush of heat run through his veins as he was typing the reference information of Emmrich's latest article into the correct format. The professor's comment caused the last slivers of his restraint to vanish in the air.
"I'm sorry?"
"For sneaking out of my bed in the middle of the night without a word."
"Ah, that."
Rook attempted to lift his eyes to the man sitting opposite of him, surrounded by bookshelves filled with thick folders, books, and loose papers. Rook should get to archiving them next. It was the only thing he could focus on in that moment when Emmrich's inquisitive eyes were staring into his very soul.
Rook swallowed and stared somewhere right of Emmrich's shoulder.
"Well, I mean - I just -"
"Use your words. As I recall, your oral skills were more than adequate."
Rook cleared his throat and took a sip of his coffee. The hot cup burned his hands less than the knot in his throat.
"I just figured I'd save you the trouble of kicking me out in the morning. I hate those morning commutes when everyone can guess where I'm coming from, y'know?" His attempt at a grin was closer to a grimace as he continued to type on the keyboard. He wasn't even looking at what he was typing, so his reference must have looked something like:
Volkarin. E. (2025) The Ethical Weight and Consequences of Continued Bone Procurement from India, International Journal of Studies on Clinfdfhdjfhdfjd.
"Rook, please. I fell asleep with you in my arms. If I wanted you gone, I would have called you an Uber." Rook shifted uncomfortable in his seat. Emmrich had his hands, joined, in front of him.
"Just figured it'd be easier like that. Not like it was gonna be, like, a thing."
Emmrich's hands were still joined at the palms. Praying for the moment to make sense. Rook felt heat creeping up under his collar. He shifted in his seat, again, under Emmrich's watchful gaze.
"And you didn't think I wanted to have a say in what kind of 'thing' it could have been, if any?"
"Wh - what? What are you - look, I just wanted to save both of us time and awkwardness. It's easier that way."
"Ah. Right. Easy." Emmrich lowered his hand and Rook flinched.
"You have a fucking Klimt painting on your wall." Rook muttered as he cleared up the typo he had made in the journal name.
Emmrich was taken aback. "I'm sorry, is my taste in art a problem for you? You could have voiced this when your mouth wasn't busy doing something else."
"No, it's the - it's the fact that you fucking have it on you wall, and then you fucked me the next room over. Like it makes some sense that you have a shit-ass expensive piece of art on your wall and me in your bed. Like what were you gonna do? Wake me up with coffee then make me breakfast?" Rook scowled and swallowed. The weight in his throat was suffocating him.
If you have something so expensive and coveted in your home, how would I fit in there?
"My taste is particular. In art and… other thing. I like good wine, good coffee, and good company. So if you're trying to make a comparison to yourself being something cheap and unworthy. I won't indulge. Because I think you are delightful."
I got this idea from a yt short i think of this cute couple anyways Childe is a young man who loves to travel and overcompensate and Zhongli will capitalize off of it
>> will be available as a miniprint! In which takumi takes his sisters for some sweets & iced coffee and when hinoka takes the picture leo conveniently shows up in the bg
