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When Foolish started this school day he had expected a normal, casual day where the most exciting thing to happen in his classroom would be auditions for the fourth-grade spelling bee next week. What he hadn’t expected was for his lunch period to roll around, and for one of his students to stay instead of going out to recess.
Now this in itself wasn’t all that surprising. Especially not when it was Leonarda who stayed behind. He knew he wasn’t supposed to pick favorites, and that he shouldn’t have favorites at all with his students, but the little las wormed her way into his heart quickly.
Foolish had taken another teacher's place a few months into the school year, and Leo had been transferred only two weeks before he started. New schools with new classrooms, with new classmates, were never easy so Foolish couldn’t deny that he held some empathy for the little one when every time he had recess duty Leo would be spotted sitting by herself on the asphalt. Waiting for recess to be over to go back inside. Sometimes Pomme would ask her to play but Leo had to be specifically asked to join before she would. Foolish tried to tell her she could just join the other kids without having to be invited but that was a work in progress in itself.
This was all to say that when Leo waddled up to his desk a few months ago when the rest of the kids went out to recess, asking if she could sit with him, he caved immediately like the spineless fish. He adored Leo and though he would like it if she made a friend or two, it became part of his routine.
So when Leo walked up to his desk like she did almost every day, he expected her to ask if they could play dress up again. Or even that she would ask for the other half of his sandwich, you know, the usual things. What he hadn’t been prepared for was her chubby fingers plop a purple velvet box on his desk before taking a step back, smiling so wide he could see her missing tooth. So proud of herself. Of course Foolish smiled back as he took up the very expensive-looking box, he’d probably have to return it afterward. Assuming it to be a paperclip bracelet again or even a dead bug, the usual thing his students brought him.
However, his third guess would have never been a golden 24-karat necklace with a tsavorite garnet embedded in the middle of it. As someone who loved all things shiny and gold, it was beautiful. It was breathtaking, and way above his pay grade. Oh her dad was going to be pissed she tried to give it to him.
Which led to Foolish anxiously twisting the golden rings on his fingers now as he stole glances at the box on his desk. The bell had long since rang to dismiss the school for the day but still in the colorful, ocean-themed classroom waited the teacher and Leonarda. Both waiting anxiously for her father to arrive.
Of course he had to call her father when she brought in something way over his salary. It wasn’t like he could afford to pay them back if something were to happen to it. So he called, well, he left a voicemail to tell him he needed to see him after school regarding Leo. After ten minutes had passed, he kinda hoped the man hadn’t gotten his voicemail at all. Praying that Leo’s usual chauffeur was waiting impatiently outside and would take the necklace, or maybe even his secretary would come to take this issue off his hands.
Foolish had never met the man, not even for parent-teacher conferences. At most, he had been sent Mr Sevens regards for his absence by his secretary but nothing more. Not even a glimpse through the tinted windows of the SUV that always picked his student up. He knew nothing of the man but that shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, right? He barely knew any of his student's parents but people talked.
Now Foolish didn’t condemn gossip in the classroom but the teacher lounge was different, and the tea was always on. Bad was the worst gossip of them all, aside from Quackity, but he had been the one to warn Foolish when he learned Leonarda was in his class. Rumors that the teacher before Foolish disappeared mysteriously, or just got fired. Bad liked to mess with him a lot but either way, it was known that Mr Sevens had something to do with it.
Maybe it was just one of Bad’s conspiracies that he swapped with the weird science teacher from down the hall, but Bad swore that Mr Seven’s had deep connections. Well, when his name was on half the city Foolish believed it, and with the talk of his missing spouse accompanied by Leonarda’s own cryptic answers about her father – Yeah Foolish was a little nervous to say the least. He didn’t want to be fired, and he sure as hell didn’t want to ‘disappear’ like most of the people on Mr Seven’s shit list.
“I want a lawyer.” Leo broke the silence, pulling a faint chuckle from Foolish.
He shook his head, “You don’t need a lawyer.” He mused as he looked back at the little girl across from him whose wild waves were messily pushed under the red baseball cap like a child would.
“Papa says when I’m in trouble to never say anything until our lawyer gets here.” Foolish snorted at this, though such advice didn’t make the pit in his stomach go away even as he leaned back in his rolling chair.
“That’s solid advice but you aren’t in trouble.” To this, Leo slowly nodded her head. Her nose scrunching at the base in thought as she looked down at her untied shoes. Maybe he should help her with that-
“Why am I here then?” Leo answered quietly, her eyes looking anywhere else but at the teacher. Before Foolish could open his mouth to soothe, her head suddenly snapping out with a velocity that made him dizzy just watching. Worried she would crack her neck but instead her concerns lay elsewhere. “Do you not like it?” Her voice waivered with the question, effectively breaking Foolish’s heart.
He quickly leaned forward, his arms resting on the desk. “Oh Leo no of course that’s not it, it’s beautiful.” He’d offer a smile, just to watch the distraught look in her round face immediately disappear, as if she wasn’t just on the verge of tears just seconds ago. Now replaced with a furrowed brow. Like an angry toddler not getting their way.
“Then what’s wrong?” She huffed, crossing her pudgy arms over her chest. A big pout to emphasize her point. Really Foolish tried hard not to laugh. It seemed wrong to laugh now when he needed to make a point, but he wasn’t immune to her adorable antics.
Foolish tried to stifle his chuckle, “Leo,” He cleared his throat. “I don’t think your dad will be very happy that you brought this in-”
“But it’s a gift, for you.” She said the last bit as if it were obvious, a part of him was waiting for her to say ‘duh’ but thankfully he hadn’t taught her that word yet.
“Leo, sweetie, you can’t just take things from your house and give them to people, your ‘papa’ is probably worried about it.” He was arguing with a nine-year-old and somehow still felt like he was losing.
“But papa said-”
Before Leo could finish, the door to his classroom opened with a start. Foolish about felt his heart leaving his body while Leo squealed ‘papa’ very loudly before all but throwing herself out of her chair. He would have reminded her to be careful about running if his tongue wasn’t immediately caught in his throat at the sight of the man standing in his classroom.
Respectfully, Foolish felt as if he should have been given a warning. The man's features were sharp and aging like fine wine with smooth salt n pepper to break up his slick black hair. If it weren’t for those intense, violet eyes that matched Leonarda’s, Foolish would have found it a little hard that the scrappy toddler with light-up sneakers came from the man. He was well-dressed, obviously just rushed from work with a purple button-up left slightly undone to reveal a golden chain around his neck. The stretch of the shirt gave away to the man being well built, though his carved forearms were enough of an indication.
As if just to prove Foolish right, the man leaned down to scoop up his daughter like a doll the moment her little arms reached out to him. Holding her on his forearm while he looked her over, paying the teacher no mind.
“Mi hijita qué ha pasado? Estás bien?” Though Foolish didn’t know much Spanish, he didn’t have to know by the man's concerned tone. How he pushed her hair out of his face to inspect with such gentleness that seemed unexpected from such an intimidating man. It was kind of sweet to see, but then that harsh gaze was looking back at Foolish and it suddenly felt a lot less sweet. “What happened?” The man snapped. “Was she in a fight? Where is the other kid?”
Foolish stammered, “No no there was no fight!” He quickly tried to correct, watching as Mr Seven’s broad shoulders dropped with a sigh of relief. It brought a sense of ease, especially when watching Leo lay her head down on the man's shoulder. However, the feeling was short-lived as Mr Seven stocked up to the desk with new demands.
“Then what is wrong.” His voice was low and cold, and really hot. Foolish felt his face growing warm as he stared up at the man standing in front of his desk. Oddly enough cradling a child who was playing with his chain didn’t make Mr Seven’s any less scary. He felt like he was talking to every mob boss in every action movie.
He stammered again, “Your necklace.” Was all he could force out before his hands quickly shoved the velvet box across his desk, watching it slide momentarily before it was stopped with Mr Seven’s free hand far too casually. “Leo uh Leonarda must have brought it in on accident,” He explained, his eyes glancing between Mr Seven’s expressionless features and his ringed hand. Watching as he turned the box before flipping open the lid to inspect. “Oh don’t worry, I didn’t let it leave my sight. It’s been sitting on my desk-”
“Did you not like it?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did you not like it?” Those intense purple eyes were staring back at him, his brows furrowed just enough to worry wrinkle into the man’s forehead. It reminded him too much of Leonarda in that moment but he didn’t dare laugh. Clearly there was something Foolish was missing here. Before he could repeat himself, Mr Seven tucked his head to look back at his daughter who lifted her head quickly. “You said he’d like it.”
“He does like it!” Leonarda argued but then two pairs of eyes were looking back at Foolish with matching intensity. Seeming to be waiting for an answer that Foolish really didn’t know how to give even as his mouth opened and closed.
Thankfully Mr Seven’s took pity on the teacher, “I am sorry for the miscommunication.” His voice was nice to listen to was all Foolish’s brain could offer in the moment. Not even able to close his mouth fully as he stared back at the man as he closed the lid with a satisficing snap. “ This is a gift, for you.” It was emphasized by the man sliding it back to Foolish. “I should have written a note, mi hija must have forgotten to mention that.”
“Oh,” With the box once more sitting in front of him, Foolish had even less of a clue of how to react. He had expected this to be quick. Something to be laughed over and say ‘kids right?’ before they went their separate ways. This was unexpected. “She uh she mentioned it but I thought you’d want it back, it looks expensive-”
“Do not worry about the price my friend, it is a gift.” The man confirmed, and then he smiled. The grin of a politician but somehow more charming if Foolish were honest, though the blush spreading across his face wouldn’t allow him to lie.
He didn’t know where but this seemed like something he shouldn’t accept. This seemed like bribery, but honestly Foolish wasn’t sure what he was being bribed over. Sure his students brought him gift all the time, they were like crows constantly picking up trinkets for him, but those trinkets were usually shiny bolts and stickers, maybe even a cookie. This seemed way beyond a gift, and yet Mr Sevens was offering it to him so casually.
This felt like something from one of his romance books that he totally didn’t read every night.
“I-” Foolish started as he stared down at the velvet box before he closed his eyes, steeling his nerves with a deep breath. “I’m sorry I think I’m still confused.” He admitted as he looked back at the man.
“Do you not like it?” Mr Seven’s pressed with a quirked brow.
“No it’s not that,” This felt like a repeat of earlier. “It’s just that…I don’t understand why you’re getting me a gift.”
“Ahh,” He watched as the man nodded his head before he looked back to his daughter. “How much did you explain?” Was asked, just to be given a little shrug in return. The man chuckled, a nice sound, and kissed Leo’s forehead before his attention returned to Foolish. “It is just a gift. Leo here,” He bounced the girl in his arms.” Talks very highly of you, as does my grandson, Bobby. In fact, I’ve heard nothing but good things from the other parents. A proper thank you seemed in order, and Leo said you liked jewelry, and sharks, but as you can imagine I can not give you a shark.” He chuckled, his shoulders bouncing.
Foolish couldn’t help but chuckle along, “ Darn, that would have looked really cool in my classroom.” He mused.
Though he wasn’t prepared for the short pause, “Do you want a shark?” Foolish opened his mouth to jokingly say ‘yes’, y’know, like anyone else would do but he stopped himself. Mr Sevens looked very serious about the question.
He shook his head, “No.” He answered meekly.
“Perhaps a birthday present then.” Mr Seven’s hummed, and Foolish couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. Something, perhaps the velvet box under his palms, told the teacher he wasn’t joking. Foolish didn’t know how to react to this thought though thankfully he didn’t have to. “Well if that is all, I need to get her home now-”
“Of course.” Foolish was quick to stand, offering a hand out to keep some professionalism in this weird exchange. Mr Seven’s was just as quick to take Foolish’s hands though his thoughts were immediately caught up in how warm the other man was. In how his calloused fingertips scrapped against Foolish’s palms, his knuckles bruised and scarred. Adding to an oddly intoxicatingly dangerous image that he was just eating up. Maybe he should stop reading so many dark romance books- “Thanks uh for taking time out of your day to clear this up-”
“It’s no problem, it’s good to finally put a pretty face to all of the praise I hear of you.” And then he winked at Foolish. The teacher felt the need to check his pulse because surely he had died and gone to heaven. Then the man’s hand was leaving Foolish’s, leaving him cold without his warmth. “Actually, I’d like to take you out for dinner sometime, to show my appreciation, if you'd be interested. I'd love to see you wear your gift. We can discuss your shark."
Oh. That wasn't where Foolish expected this to go. His face felt as it it was burning as he stared back at the other man with wide eyes. Would there be consequences to saying no? Did he want to say no? Not really.
“Can I come?” Leo quickly piped in, seeming to catch her father off guard as if he had truly forgotten about their audience.
“Leonarda-”
“I’d uh I’d love too Mr Sevens.” Foolish finally found the words, a smile pressed to his lips. To this, Mr Seven’s looked surprised that Foolish had agreed to a date, even with the possibility of Leo, but then his features would soften into something endearing.
“Vegetta.” Foolish must have looked confused because the man chuckled, “Vegetta, that’s my name. That’s what you can call me.”
“Vegetta it is.” He beamed.
“Does this mean I get two dads now?”
“Leonarda!” Vegetta squawked, a deep blush spreading across his face. It looked nice, Foolish would think even as laughter bubbled in his throat. “Lo siento, I’m so sorry uh,”
“It’s okay.” He promised in between his own chuckle as he reached over his desk for a pen. “Let me give you my number.”
“I have it, you called me.” Vegetta reminded with a smile, to which Foolish could only offer an embarrassed one back.
“Right.” A short goodbye was offered by both parties before Vegetta turned to leave, barely getting a few feet from the door before Leonarda started to talk about their possible date. Already starting to plan it out it seemed and Foolish couldn’t help but be just as excited.