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Lumine had a hard time focusing.
Ever since she could remember, history had been one of her favorite classes.
She would often find herself immersed in the stories of all the legends lost in time, the images the words so vividly painted ones that would refuse to fade from her mind for the weeks to come and yet, Lumine had to admit that lately,it was getting considerably harder to keep her attention fixed on the lectures.
All because of him.
The first time her gaze fell on the man who would become their new history teacher, Lumine had felt her heart come to a painful stop in her chest.
He had to be the most handsome man she had ever come across.
The second he entered the room all eyes were on him, everything about him screaming authority and demanding attention. His long, dark hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck, the black, button up shirt he wore enhancing his lean build and the second golden clashed with molten amber, Lumine knew that she was in trouble.
It didn't help that he was a gentleman as well, the sound of his deep chuckle and smooth voice sending shivers dancing across her skin and as much as Lumine had tried to fight the effect he had on her, it was impossible to resist.
"Miss Viatrix."
Lumine slightly jumped in her seat in surprise the second the low voice ripped her out of her daze, the feeling of his hot breath fanning against the shell of her ear making her stiffen.
Damn it.
"Yes, Mister Lapis?"
She could feel him shift from where he was standing behind her, chest subtly brushing against her back as he tapped his finger on her desk in a rythm that matched the pace of her heart and when golden eyes flickered up to finally catch glowing amber, she felt her heart skip a beat.
"You seem distracted." Zhongli mused, the firmness his low voice held betraying the knowing glint that brightened his eyes. "Does my class bore you?"
Lumine felt her throat run dry at his question, her chest fluttering.
"No, Sir."
She didn't miss the way his gaze sparked in satisfaction from where he leaned sideways against her desk, arms crossed above his chest as he gazed down at her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.
"Then I'd like for you to pay attention to the lecture, Lumine." Lumine knew that tone better than any other,the one that promised consequences if one were to disobey his order and when she offered him a nod in return, she saw the corner of his lips lift into a satisfied smile.
She didn't miss the way his arm brushed against hers as he left to check on the other students, the subtle contact leaving a scorching heat in its wake as Lumine willed her furiously beating heart to slow down, grip on her pen tight as an annoyed sigh passed her lips.
Damn him.
"Miss Viatrix, a word please."
Lumine tensed from where she was making her way out of the lecture hall, steps faltering as the deep voice reached her ears and when Mona shot her a concerned look, she merely shot her friend a reassuring smile and told her that she would meet heR at the library.
It was only when the lecture hall was empty that she finally turned around to find Zhongli leaning back in his seat behind his desk,one hand moving to loosen the tie around his neck and Lumine felt her stomach flip at the sight, blood growing warm seeing her
usually calm and collected teacher disheveled and laid back like this.
"Is anything the matter?" Lumine asked once she found her voice, feet carrying her back to his desk and a blonde brow arched when Zhongli let out a low hum, amber eyes narrowed slightly as they caught hers.
"You seem distracted during my lectures lately." He noted, keen gaze not missing the way she tensed ever so slightly as he drank in the way her rosy lips pressed together into a thin line. "I was wondering why that is, given that you are usually my most attentive student."
Lumine knew that he was toying with her, the innocence of his smile betraying his sharp gaze but she refused to yield.
"My mind seems to be rather occupied lately." Lumine returned, the sweet upwards tilt of her lips not matching the spark of defiance her golden orbs held before she innocently tipped her head aside. "Though I admittedly didn't expect you to notice- you are more attentive than I have thought, Sir."
Zhongli hummed lowly as he moved from his seat, the sound of his footsteps as he closed the distance between them echoing through the empty hall, urging her further back and when her back hit the edge of the table and his hands moved to rest on its wooden surface to cage her in, Lumine didn't break his gaze.
Zhongli tilted his head down to keep their eyes locked, hot breath fanning against her lips as the scent of his expensive cologne clouded her senses. It was one that she was more than familiar with, one that would linger in her room hours after he left would stick to her clothes and lend her comfort on the nights he couldn't stay and she missed him- it was one she couldn't get enough of.
"Every teacher has their favorite student." He mumbled with a smile, nose brushing against hers as he grasped her chin to lift it and when his lips ghosted over hers, his gaze darkened in a way that made her stomach flutter. "So I trust you to not disappoint me."
And with that, he leaned down to capture her lips with his.
Lumine sighed softly into the kiss as she lifted her hands to bury her fingers into the nape of his neck to pull him closer, one of his hands coming to rest heavily on her thigh as the other remained on the desk, the way his lips moved hotly against hers making her hum in delight as his tall form towered over her.
If it weren't for the desk her legs would have long given out, the way his hand possessively rested on her thigh under her skirt making her blood run hot.
It had been weeks since she had fallen victim to his charm and decided to listen to her heart and pursue a relationship with him,the pull between them undeniable.Zhongli had made his intentions more than clear, his lingering touches and warm smiles making her heart beat quicker than she knew it should and it was only in rare moments like this when she could allow herself to savor his touch while they were still at school, but she couldn't deny that the thrill of it made it all the more tempting.
Lumine smiled into the kiss when he pulled her closer.
Ah yes, history certainly was her favorite class.