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"Professor Banner, may I speak to you after class?" Hermione asked. "I had a few questions about my last essay on the effects of gamma radiation when applied in an in-vivo application."
Bruce Banner looked down at her. A small smile teased the corner of his lips. “Yes, Ms Granger, you meet me after class."
Hermione nodded before returning to her seat. She tried to focus on what he was currently presenting, but her thoughts were all over the place. It had been so long since she had been alone with Bruce, and she had missed it. She missed their secret rendezvous and stolen kisses exchanged in hidden places. She missed him.
Bruce had suggested that Hermione try to date someone else her age. What they were doing was against school policy as Hermione was now a student of his, even though she hadn’t been when their relationship started. She knew that Bruce was just trying to protect her from the backlash if they were to be found out, but Hermione didn't care anymore. She missed Bruce more than she ever thought possible. And she needed to find out how to get him back. Surely, there was a way for her to be able to convince him that things were worth it between the two of them.
Occasionally, during the lecture, Bruce would look at Hermione, a frown briefly flashing across his features before he would school his reaction. It was almost like he knew what she was thinking.
The class was over before either of them realised it.
Hermione lingered by her desk as all the other students filed out. Once they were alone, Bruce closed his classroom door before he pinned Hermione with a look. "You shouldn't be here, Ms Graner."
She looked at him before approaching him slowly. “I… I miss you, Bruce,” she whispered softly.
“Hermione,” he said, dragging his hand over his face.
“Please, I can’t do this anymore,” she interrupted him. “I love you, Bruce, and I want to be with you. I don’t care that you’re my professor and that we work in the lab together. That doesn’t change how I feel about you.” She looked at him pleadingly.
Bruce sighed. "You know I broke things off between us for a reason."
"And it's a bad reason," Hermione countered.
Bruce arched his eyebrow, a small smirk of amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Really? I don't think so."
"Well, I do, Bruce! I have feelings for you, and separating us isn't doing anything but hurt me." Hermione could feel the tears well up in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She didn’t want to lose herself to her emotions because she knew that wouldn’t change his mind.
"I care about you too," Bruce said, moving closer and reaching out to brush her tears away. "I'm just trying to protect you."
"I know, but please stop. I just want to be with you, Bruce," she whispered. She grasped the front of his shirt, holding him close so he couldn't pull away from her.
"It's wrong. I'm your professor."
"I'm of age, Bruce, and when Tony introduced us, I wasn’t your student." Hermione gave him a look. “I know you miss me, too.”
Bruce couldn’t help but smirk. "You’re far too observant for your own good. I should say no…"
"But you won't," Hermione finished for him, a smile on her face. Her heart started to race wildly in her chest.
Bruce sighed in defeat. "I'm much too selfish."
"Me too," Hermione said. "Now, please, just kiss me."
The soft touch of Bruce's lips met Hermione's, and it finally felt like things were right in the world again.
When they broke apart, Bruce rested his forehead against hers. “Now, off you go to your next class. I’ll call you later tonight, okay?”
“Yes, Professor,” she teased, giving him a grin.
“Good girl,” he praised her, his voice low and gravelly as he gave her arse a light smack as he sent her in the direction of the door.
It sent a thrill up her spine. She loved it when he praised her, and she couldn’t wait to see if he’d be open to roleplaying a detention scene with her in the future.
But for now, she’d celebrate her win. She couldn’t wait to rekindle her relationship with Bruce outside of the classroom.