Chapter Text
Valentine's Day is a tough period for teachers. Students, caught up in their own and others' personal lives, completely forget about studying. Even now, during class, a small box of chocolates is passed from hand to hand. But the teacher intercepts it just before it reaches Wise’s hands. The teacher doesn’t make a scene, but his tired sigh and frustrated tone reach Wise's conscience.
— I expected this from anyone, but not from you, Mr. Arna. If you want it back, you’ll have to visit our dean.
A whisper rises throughout the class, and Wise silently vows to take revenge on the unfortunate lover who couldn’t even wait until the break.
After class. Wise fidgets in front of the door, staring at the sign that reads "Von Lyсaon - Dean of the Faculty of Hollow Investigation."
Von Lycaon is the new star of the university, the main character in half of the dormitory’s wet dreams, a polite and charming thiren, too young for his position... Wise doesn’t want to go in. He’s scared. He knows that he will have to listen to another lecture about responsibility and reputation. He’s sick of them. Wise would love to see the faces of those who give him these lectures if they knew that their diligent student works as a proxy at night.
Moreover, the item held by Lycaon… It’s not the phone Wise played with during class, nor a cigarette or a funny note from friends. It’s a gift with an obvious romantic subtext. He can’t predict Lycaon’s reaction, and that makes him nervous. Wise has enough unpredictable situations at work, he can’t handle more from the people around him. Still, Lycaon challenges his mental flexibility every time.
Wise doesn’t understand his gestures, his hints. Maybe they're just part of Wise's imagination? He understands what his peers expect, when they ask him to fix their computers or help with homework, when a roomate leaves to the party with friends. He knows what the guys want when they invite him to have a drink at a bar. But he doesn’t understand what Lycaon expects from him. Good grades? Obedient behavior? A reciprocal step? As a good proxy, Wise needs the data to plan... Wise has data on Lycaon, but it's too contradictory...
“Will Lycaon get jealous?” — Wise wonders, and perhaps he likes the idea too much. “How does it feel? To be the object of this man’s jealousy?... Jealous of chocolate from some student? Pfft, you have very high opinion of yourself, Wise.”
Maybe Wise is just too young for such mature games?
Overcoming himself, Wise knocks. Hearing approval from the other side, he enters.
— Ah, Mr. Arna, to what do I owe the pleasure?
— It seems you have something that was meant for me.
— Ah, yes, — Lycaon rummages in his drawer for a moment before finding the box.
— Youth, love, agitated hearts, what an exciting day.
Lycaon approaches Wise with his usual grace, perfect posture, the box hidden behind his back as if trying to preserve the intrigue.
— You’re not old enough, Mr. Lycaon, to speak like that.
— Ahah, thank you for the compliment, maybe in a couple of years then?
Finally, Lycaon hands the box to Wise. Wise’s sharp professional eye doesn’t miss the fact that:
“The box... It’s different. The size, color, the ribbon — everything’s different.”
The previous chocolate was packed in a plain beige box tied with a pink ribbon at the edges. The chocolate Lycaon is offering him is in a red box, tied with a golden ribbon.
“Could he have confused them? Maybe there’s a queue of people like me, whose chocolate was confiscated during class? Or is this one of the gifts he received?”
Wise hesitates, unsure whether to point out the mistake.
“Wise is a smart guy, but inexperienced,” Lyсaon thinks to himself. He likes this characteristic in the guy. He’s afraid that his bursts of egoism might spoil those innocent green eyes, but alas, right now, that’s all they can afford. Maybe later, when they’re both free, it’ll be different, more honest.
— Sir, th-...
Wise’s green eyes lock on Lycaon’s, and the intensity and purity of his gaze make Lycaon’s ears twitch unwillingly. The thiren’s gaze is kind, but with a playful glint, teasing smile, and only his wagging tail betrays his true anxiety.
"No, it’s not about that. This is a gift.” —proxy's heart races with this realization.
— Th-thank you. — Wise accepts the gift, smiling gratefully with a faint blush on his cheeks. He nervously looks away. Again. He fiddles with the ribbon, trying to get to the bottom of things.
“Is this a confession? A friendly souvenir? Is this homemade chocolate or from a store? Should I prepare something for a ‘white day’? Ideally something equally ambiguous?... Could all this flirting hide the truth?”
“... ... Oh.”
It seems Wise is starting to understand the allure of this game. The excitement, intoxicating and destroying you from within. You don’t know when it will end, you don’t remember how it started, and you wonder if you’ll get anything in the end. It's a gamble. Wise is troubled by these new feelings, but can’t fight them. He decides to let Lycaon lead him a little longer. “Where does this lead us?”
— Love is great, but don’t involve teachers in your romantic squabbles.
— Pfft, I know that teachers love to gossip about their students’ personal lives just as much as anyone else... And you, too.
— Ahah, that’s true. But let’s keep you out of this. The dean’s tone becomes suddenly serious.
— You’re the future elite of intelligence, don’t let it [gossip] ruin your reputation. You need to pay better attention to your actions... And your appearance.
Lycaon runs his hand over the lapel of Wise’s jacket, brushes insignificant dust particles off the shoulder, adjusting the tie so it’s perfectly centered. In general he's trying to make Wise’s neat appearance look perfect.
“Just another game. What a hypocrite...” — Wise thinks. A game with his feelings. He wants to distance himself, look at them from the side, but he’s too overwhelmed with their closeness. They’re standing too close for a teacher and a student. So close that Wise feels the warmth radiating from the thiren, the softness of his fur from accidental touches. He feels his face burning, and he scolds himself for not being able to control himself.
Meanwhile, Lycaon is simply enjoying the picture before him. He can feel Wise’s frantic heart beating under his hand. The thiren is older, but like an inexperienced puppy, he is incapable of controlling the wagging of his tail. Even his hands, moving just on the edge of decency, seem to want to reveal his true feelings. But they hold back, unwilling to bring to light what is already so obvious.
— But other students—
Lyсaon’s hand lifts Wise’s chin, making him meet his gaze. Confident, stern, low voice, sending shivers down his spine. A voice that makes you feel like a small, cornered rabbit. Wise doesn’t mind being devoured by this wolf.
— You’re not like the others. Remember that, Wise.
The guy swallows hard, shame washing over him. He shouldn’t be aroused by his professor’s voice. A slight nod from Wise, and Lycaon give an approving smile in return.
— By the way, where did those dark circles under your eyes come from? Working at night? Lycaon turns Wise’s face in his hand, inspecting it from all sides.
— N-no, just insomnia.
Wise covers Lycaon’s hand with his own, slipping out of his grip. The thiren’s hand is much larger and warmer than his own, and the short fur on it feels pleasant. Lycaon carefully squeezes Wise’s thin fingers in response. The cold of the ring prevents Wise from escaping reality completely.
— Hmm... yeah. That explains the drop in your performance.
— My grades are still fine, — Wise says, a bit offended.
— But not for someone of your level. Is something bothering you, any thoughts that won’t let you sleep?
— No-no, nothing like that. I just... study late.
— Is this really the case? You don’t have enough time during the day? Lyсaon frowns, looking unconvinced.
— Well, I won’t deny, that I have trouble with sleeping. But it works in my favor, I can use that time for extra study.
— Hm-m, that won’t do. Lycaon’s face takes on a worried expression.
— Come on, sir, you know the drill, if you want to be on top, you have to sacrifice something. Sleep isn’t such a big price to pay.
— Out of the question! The thiren shakes his head, — You can’t keep going like this. Sleep is very important for the mind. Especially at your age.
Lycaon thinks for a moment, bringing his hand to his face.
— Let’s do this. Come by my office in a few days after school. I’ll help you to rearrange your schedule so you can use your time more effectively. I’ll also prepare some tricks that will help with your sleep. How does that sound?
— Please, don’t bother—
— Nonsense. I am sure that together we will overcome this problem.
“Oh? Is it a date?” — Unfortunately, Wise isn’t bold enough to voice that.
— As you wish, sir.
— Splendid! Now you can go. I heard that students have prepared something in the auditorium for the celebration. Go, have fun.
With a slight bow, Lycaon heads back to his desk.
— What about you, sir? Any plans for Valentine’s Day?
— My partner and I are going to a nice restaurant tonight.
— Wow, how fancy~ I wish you both a nice evening, sir.
"My partner, my ass!"
thinks Wise, when he comes out of the office, — "What an interesting word. It can describe any kind of relationship: lover, colleague, friend... What’s the point? Everyone knows you're married, so what's the point?! Why use the safe ‘partner’ instead of ‘husband’?... Aghr! Who cares!"
Wise hides in one of the empty classrooms to unpack his gift. Will he find the answers to his questions in this box? Will the chocolate calm the storm in his heart? Wise removes the lid and, to his disappointment, notices that it’s store-bought chocolate.
"Well, It was foolish to expect anything else."
He puts one candy in his mouth, the bitter crust cracks, and sweet caramel spreads in his mouth.
"Did he remember...?"
He recalls their meeting a few months ago in the local little shop...
Wise ran there late at night between orders to grab some energy drinks and some snacks. Lycaon had been behind him in line, openly disapproving of the student’s late-night snack.
— Looks like you’re buying all the chocolate in the store.
— Not quite, just the caramel ones. I’ve been hooked on them lately.
— Ah, I guess the others should hurry up before you make a shortage. Lycaon replied with a slight smirk.
A heavy sigh escapes Wise’s chest. He throws his legs over the chair next to him, leaning his back against the wall. He grabs another candy, slowly savoring it, trying to enjoy the taste longer.
"Sorry, Belle, but I’m not sharing today..."