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Trein let his bag fall heavily on one of the tables in the teachers’ room, and dropped himself on a chair with a long sigh. He was so, so tired.
It had only been a few weeks since the beginning of the school year and the day he accepted this job offer at Night Raven College, but he had seriously underestimated the amount of work a beginner teacher has. Between the lesson preparations, actually holding classes, reviewing student works, doing your utmost to help your students, your usual hardships to adapt to a new workspace and dealing with your personal life (welcoming their second daughter in their family was a blessing indeed, but working on barely any sleep ? Not so much) he was utterly exhausted. At least he was in charge of dealing with his old dorm, Heartslabyul, and his students didn’t cause any trouble whatsoever. How nostalgic. He reminisced about his days as a student ; it had been more than two decades now. Time sure flies by quickly.
His eyes flew open as a hand clasped firmly on his shoulder and one of his colleagues -the PE and Flight teacher he thought but couldn’t remember his name yet- laughed loudly to his face. « Already tired after barely two months of school? Maybe I should get you working on that stamina of yours, Trein! »
« Thank you, but I am good as I am now. » Trein answered with a forced little laugh.
« Nonsense! You could use some cardio and muscle training. »
« Again, thank you, but no. »
A firm knock on the teachers’room door interrupted their conversation. A third teacher rose to their feet and walked to answer the door, visibly ready to tell the kids to scram. From his sitting position, Trein couldn’t see the student’s face, but he very clearly heard what was being said. « Is Trein-sensei here? »
Without waiting for the other teacher to call on him, he got up and strode towards the door. He lightly patted his colleague's shoulder to signify he was taking the matter in his hands, and said colleague walked back inside the room. As Trein turned back to look at the student who demanded his presence, he blinked a few times, trying to remember who he was.
The boy stood there proudly, his hands clasped behind his back, his chin held high. Despite his demeanor, Trein could see some clear signs of anxiety : slightly pursed lips, accelerated breathing, pink dusted cheeks. Interesting…? Though, a quick glance at the boy’s uniform and brightly dyed hair gave his identity away : this was the newly appointed housewarden of the Pomefiore dorm, Divus Crewel. Ah. So this had probably something to do with the assignment he gave the third years earlier this week.
« Divus-kun. You know this dyed hair is a strict violation of the school’s dress code. » Trein scolded him briefly.
He heard a muffled « As expected of a former housewarden of Heartslabyul! » coming from inside the teachers’room to focus solely on the student in front of him.
« Not dyeing them would be a violation of my fashion sense, Professor. » The boy retorted with a smug smile. « I look way better like this, trust me. »
Huh. Well. Trein let out a sigh and resumed the conversation. « Do you need help with something? Maybe that assignment I gave your class for next week? »
The boy shook his head no. Trein watched as the young man breathed in and out silently, and waited patiently.
Suddenly, he found himself with a beautiful red rose extended towards him, and the boy started to speak. « I picked this rose up just for you, Professor Trein. » Despite his confident aura, his voice was shaking at the edges for this first sentence. « And… I was wondering if you would like to accompany me on a picnic later. Maybe this weekend? Courtesy of mine, of course! »
Oh. This certainly was a first. Oh no.
Flabbergasted, the older man glanced around quickly and noticed a dozen other students eavesdropping on their conversation and staring at them. To do this in front of an audience… The boy sure had some nerves, he had to concede it.
Now, how to de-escalate this situation properly…
« Divus-kun… » Trein started, as he gently pushed the boy’s arm holding out the rose back towards him, silently refusing the flower. « I am flattered, truly. But you are my student, and I am your Professor. This is a highly inappropriate conversation to hold between us. »
The young man opened his mouth like he was about to retort something, but Trein didn’t let him. « Furthermore, I will let you know that I am happily married, and a father of two. I advise you to focus on your studies for now, and should the need for an… intimate relationship come, find someone who is more suitable for you. » (read : someone not twice your age.)
His student seemed to deflate slightly, and for a brief moment a picture of a kicked puppy flashed in front of Trein’s eyes. With a little huff, Trein patted the boy lightly on the head, then signaled to the rest of the students. « Now everyone, I believe you third years have a potionology class starting in 5 minutes. Hurry up before you all run late! »
The students scattered away quickly, unwilling to get on Trein’s wrong side, and the Pomefiore housewarden followed without another word. The older man sighed profoundly, turning and closing the teachers’room door behind him as he walked back inside.
« Professor Trein, breaking students’ hearts his first year at NRC! Poor little guy! » The PE teacher said as he laughed again, and Trein forced himself to laugh with him. At least he had successfully and properly diffused this situation with this young man. He had made his point clear and kindly but firmly rejected the boy’s advances.
Surely, it was best to put an end to this kind of silly young infatuation quickly. It was for the best, even if the boy would be heartbroken for a little while.
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« Lucius, did you stretch your little paw-paws my darling boy? Did it feel good? »
Trein bent down carefully to pet the senior cat’s head. He had just spent an hour of his lunch break reviewing and grading some papers for his classes, and decided to take a well deserved pause out of the teachers’room, especially as he noticed Lucius was growing restless. He took a tranquil stroll outside, breathing some fresh air, and took some very cute -but blurry- pictures of his darling boy as he was scratching a square of soft grass.
« Come now, let’s get back inside. Papa is not done with his work yet. » Trein said as he lifted the cat up in his arms, and walked inside towards the teachers’room once more.
The moment he opened the door though, Mister Sam’s voice came loudly from a corner, where a few break tables were located. « No-way! You have a crush on him??? »
The man guffawed at their colleague, Professor Crewel. As the eldest teacher walked in, he was immediately spotted by the two of them, and he witnessed as the young alchemy teacher jumped on his friend and muffled him with a hand, almost making them both fall backward on their butt with the force of his movement. Trein politely feigned not to have seen or heard anything, and made a bee line to the table he had left his things on. He carefully deposited Lucius on the seat next to his, and decided to brew himself a cup of Darjeeling tea before resuming his work. As he was waiting for the water to boil, his back turned to his two juniors, he couldn’t help his ears to catch some parts of their conversation.
« Brother, really? Naughty naughty. » The youngest one whispered with a teasing tone, a huge grin probably on his face.
« Need I remind you I have knowledge in magical roots and flowers you do not possess, and I’m currently crossing sources about that one chrysanthemum myth : I could ruin your next little workout « date ». Be afraid. » The alchemy teacher hissed quietly, to which his friend answered with an offended gasp.
Oh. The flower of honesty myth? He didn’t know his colleague was actually researching such an ancient myth. Maybe he could offer some insights on the more historical elements of the myth which could have led to the use of chrysanthemum flowers in truth serums.
« No but seriously, » Mister Sam resumed shortly after. « Exactly what are you waiting for? That’s an awful long time spent pining over the man. Did you at least try once? Did you get friendzoned? »
« It’s… complicated. » Professor Crewel muttered, barely audible.
« That’s… Honestly that’s sad, man. You’re desperate. »
Before he could stop himself, Trein turned around slowly and spoke : « I did not mean to overhear some of your conversation, but… » He smoothed the front of his scarf, hesitating. « Professor Crewel, as your senior, and someone who has indeed been married quite some time, I do believe I could offer some advice on your dating ordeal, if you so wish. » He paused for a second before resuming quickly, remembering his colleagues’conversation. « Though I am, in all honesty, not all that knowledgeable about the- how did Diamond-kun call this last time- « el gee bee tea » matters of the heart, but I believe it can not be that much different. »
As he spoke, he could see Mister Sam raising a shaky hand to his mouth, while Professor Crewel paled before growing redder and redder, eyes wide open. Ah, this face actually reminded him of his early days at NRC. How nostalgic. He offered a gentle smile in silence, and waited a few seconds that seemed like minutes passed before the youngest of their group answered.
« Right, Divus! » Mister Sam said as he smacked his friend’s shoulder. « It is a golden opportunity to learn from our senior. Professor Trein, please enlighten us with some of your insights. »
Professor Crewel’s mouth flew open, but as he was about to speak, the school’s bell started ringing loudly, announcing the end of their lunch break and the start of the first period of the afternoon.
« Ah! » Trein exclaimed suddenly. « I have class 1-A for the next period, I will have to excuse myself. Professor Crewel, next time maybe? »
The young teacher hesitantly answered with a « Sure… » before the eldest turned around to gather his things and Lucius. As he walked by the two on his way out though, Trein could swear he heard the salesman snicker : « Saved by the bell… » ; and his friend hiss : « I will kill you in your sleep, you snake. »
Ah, these youngsters… Always quarreling. Well, boys will be boys.
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As per lately, Trein could swear some of his students were acting weird.
It all started with two seniors of the science club. As much as hearing Rook Hunt go on and on and on about the power of love, and romanticism, and the beauty found in two old souls finding solace in each other after decades of longing -he wasn’t wrong of course, but he was being particularly insistent these days-, the most disturbing thing was witnessing Trey Clover’s change of attitude. From a very calm and respectful individual, he started to follow in his club mate’s footsteps ; he was way less intense about it obviously, just- weird.
« Here, Trein-sensei. Do you want to taste the snacks I prepared for our club break? » The Heartslabyul vice-housewarden asked with a smile, presenting him with a plate of freshly baked buttery scones and a jar of homemade spread.
« Why, thank you, Clover-kun. » Trein politely accepted the snack prepared by his student and tasted it. It was really good, like everything the boy cooked.
« Did you know, this is actually Crewel-sensei’s favorite! »
« Is it now? » The teacher paused for a second before he resumed. « I can see why, Professor Crewel does have a sweet -but not too sweet- tooth. This here does suit him. »
« What about you sensei? Do you have a favorite? »
« Vichyssoise. »
« The… The soup…? »
« Indeed. It’s very light on the stomach, and quite refreshing on warm summer days. My late wife made an amazing vichyssoise. »
« I see… Though I was asking about a favorite dessert or sort… » The boy corrected himself, visibly embarrassed.
« My apologies. If I have to really think about it… » Trein hummed as he searched for a pastry or dessert that really marked him. « I would say I prefer well tangy lemon tarts, with no meringue. I personally am also not too fond of overly sweet treats. »
« Your culinary tastes seem quite in line with Professor Crewel’s, aren’t they? Especially with desserts! » Rook Hunt slipped into their conversation, a large smile on his face.
« Not quite. » The teacher contradicted him with a chuckle. « In fact, I do love myself a good pudding during Christmas season, where Professor Crewel absolutely despises the mere sight of it. In his own words, it looks like « someone shat on a plate and served it to people he hates ». Distasteful. »
Trey Clover offered a polite laugh as Rook Hunt promised they « took notes of all these informations », muttering something about a certain « plan » from a « Roi du Poison ».
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Then, it was the members of the Pop Music Club who initiated a very, very embarrassing conversation.
The three merry boys approached him during one afternoon break, trapping him, in a way, inside his classroom. While Cater Diamond was typing something on his cellphone, his two club mates came over closer to him, smiling.
« So, Professor- » Kalim Al-Assim started but was quickly interrupted by Lilia Vanrouge, who silently gestured something along the line of « please let me speak. ».
« We actually wanted to ask you a few questions for our latest club activity. » The Diasomnia vice-housewarden said with an overly friendly look which definitely indicated he was lying about his intentions.
« I’m listening. » Trein slowly petted Lucius’ head, holding him in his arms as the senior cat purred loudly.
« So we’re brainstorming for a new project, and the general idea is about queer love. And we thought that, since you’re the only teacher at NRC who’s been married, you might be able to help us to some extent. »
« Yes, like that! » Kalim Al-Assim clapped his hands as he confirmed the words of his club mate.
What was it with these kids these days? It wasn’t even Spring yet, but they were all obsessing over love. Hormones maybe?
Doubtful, he said nothing at first, letting the third boy put away his phone and add : « Right! Sooooo, Professor, what do you think about gay people? Like, two men in love with each other? »
Trein blinked slowly, still a bit dumbfounded at his students’ sudden questioning. « I… I do not have any particular thought or opinion about them…? » The teacher scratched Lucius’ back before he kept going. « They are free to love who they want, and should I have any reservations about this -which I don’t-, there is no world where I would be legitimate to impose these opinions on others. »
« Right, right. » Cater Diamond muttered before he quickly kept going. « But let’s say, like… There’s that younger man who’d be in love with you. What would you do? How would that make you feel? »
Silence stretched for a while as Trein studied his students’ faces. He slightly sighed between pursed lips, then answered : « Diamond-kun, I’m flattered, but this is a highly inappropriate conversation. I’m your teacher, and you are my student, that- »
« NOT ME- Oh Sevens… » The Heartslabyul student exclaimed, then turned around, ashamed.
Next to him, Lilia Vanrouge burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, almost rolling around on the floor. Baffled, the teacher turned to the only sophomore of the trio, who hastily raised both his hands.
« Oh no, I do like you a lot Professor, but I’m gonna marry Jamil one day, so no thanks! »
« Is Jamil aware of this…? » Lilia Vanrouge gasped once he actually stopped laughing, whipping a lone tear from the corner of his eye. (In the meanwhile, in the school’s gymnasium, Jamil sneezed loudly.)
Speaking of the fae boy, he chuckled as Trein finally turned to him : « I can assure you Professor, this is not about me either. » He then muttered pensively : « Moreover I’d be the one saying that in this conversation… »
« What was that? »
« Absolutely nothing! »
Trein huffed a small laugh as Cater Diamond seemed to recover from his last interaction with them. « This is actually nostalgic. I had this one student in the past who actually confessed his feelings for me a long time ago. »
« Really? Who was it? » Kalim Al-Assim exclaimed.
« I’m not sure I can tell you that much. »
« Puh-lease, we won’t say a word about this. Promise! » The Heartslabyul senior raised a hand to swear, talking for his companions and himself.
The teacher hesitated for a while, then sighed. « It was Professor Crewel, during his student times here at NRC. »
The three students gasped loudly, crying out : « No way!! What did you say? »
« Quiet down you three. He was a mere boy back then, and I was happily married and a second-time father. Of course I gently -but firmly- turned him down. » He explained calmly. « Anyways, this was sometime around what. 14 years ago? Professor Crewel wasn’t 18 yet, this is what you can call young puppy love. But this is all in the past now. »
A mix of « Riiiiight… » and « Such a long time…! » answered him.
« Thus said, » Trein started as he stood up from his desk. « If you have nothing else you need my « help » with, I’ll put an end to this conversation. We all need at least a few minutes of this break to overcome the rest of the day. »
The trio agreed before they hastily grabbed their things and scattered out the classroom’s door with one last greeting.
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The third weird occurence was a mysterious letter he found a few days later on his desk. The enveloppe was properly sealed with a wax seal, and the paper inside was adorned with a neat handwriting -despite a few ink patches indicating that words were replaced-. It looked everything like a love letter; except for the fact he immediately recognized one of the first year’s handwriting, Sebek Zigvolt. So the freshmen tried to prank him. Curiosity killed the cat though, and he couldn’t help reading the letter all the way through, although he was mitigated whether to find it amusing or despairing.
Amongst many cliché sentences straight out of romance novels, there were mentions of his « intense and sparkling emerald eyes » (he did not have green eyes), his « strong and tall stature » (he had always had a rather fragile built), or his « regal and ethereal posing » (what even was this about). It was quite obvious the young man did not write this with his teacher in mind (that was in fact reassuring to him).
With a small huff, Trein carefully folded the letter and threw it in the trash can. As he resumed unloading his things for his first lesson of the day, he grasped some parts of the first years’, who were waiting at the door before the beginning of the lesson, conversation.
« What do you mean y’all let Sebby write it? » The Ramshackle prefect hissed.
« The guy’s an adept of romance literature. He was our best shot! Did ya want Jack to do it? Or worse : Ace? » The crystalline voice of Epel Felmier answered.
« Hey! I’m right here dude! »
The group seemed to firmly hush the Heartslabyul first year.
« This was the worst idea ever. He probably ranted on and on about his beloved « waka-sama » or sum. » Deuce Spade sighed with a resigned tone.
« According to Professor Trein’s reaction, he totes did. » came Ortho Shroud’s confirmation.
« Speaking of him, where is Sebek? » Jack Howl asked.
« Escorting Hornton to his first class. He’ll be here in a few. »
« Yikes, still gives me the hibbie jibbies when ya call him that… »
« Do we have ta go to the old man’s boring class? Hench-human, I say we skip and raid Sam’s shop for tuna cans! »
« No we won’t. Also don’t tell me you’re already hungry, we just had breakfast! »
« Yeah but what about second breakfast? »
« I’ll make you a quick snack during morning break. Hang on until then, alright? » The magicless human yielded.
Such a lively flock. Trein was always amazed at the evolution the students went through over merely three years ; from naive and still a bit childish first years to more mature and assured third years. Most teachers would prefer dealing with the later, but the earlier also had their good points. They were more spontaneous and energetic in and outside class, than the -for the most part- more disciplined and composed third years. But he digressed.
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The last stroke came in one afternoon, when the students were released from class and attended their respective club activities.
Trein was reading through an old grimoire about some of the Scalding Sands’ ancient myths when a huge detonation reverberated in the corridor, quickly followed by what sounded like some part of the school building’s collapsing. He scurried outside his classroom and rushed towards the classroom from which the explosion sounded to come from : Professor Crewel’s, his heart pounding a bit.
As he was about to cross the threshold of the classroom’s door, he stopped to look, as the first glance he took confirmed nobody was hurt. The students from the science club were agitated, circling their teacher like worried mother hens. Professor Crewel seemed perfectly fine, though his front was covered in a mix of grime from a failed attempt at a potion (which probably was the cause of the explosion from earlier) and residues from the small part of the roof which collapsed next to them (fortunately it didn’t crush anyone).
Just like the students, Trein supposed he was about to witness his younger colleague bark at the children about procedure and lab safety, and punish them for weeks with extra homework. But to their great surprise, the alchemy teacher threw his head back and laughed; a genuine laugh. The sound echoed in the classroom as the sun shined down from the crack in the roof, making the teacher’s hair shine and stand out even more, framing his slightly rosy laughing face and-
Oh.
Oh.
With this face, Trein was reminded that his junior was indeed a young, charming man. Without really thinking about it, he stayed at the door, staring at the whole scene happening right before his eyes, until Professor Crewel actually noticed him hanging out the door of his classroom. « Oh, Professor Trein! What is it? You look like you ran here…! »
« Is everyone okay…? » He answered hesitantly, snatched out of his reverie. « I heard the detonation from all the way down the hallway. »
« Ah, yes. Apologies, my little pups here might have maladjusted the dosage of this potion, despite me insisting on the necessity of being extremely cautious with this experiment. » The young teacher glared a little at his students, who looked mortified for the most part.
« Well… At least, nobody got hurt. It is for the best. »
« Awww, were you worried, Professeur ? » Rook Hunt cooed with a grin.
« Of course I was. It was quite the loud explosion, I thought something real bad had happened. »
The boy snickered at that, looking as Trein sighed with relief and bid them farewell, more at ease now that he knew nothing too bad happened to the students or his colleague. He did not see how the young teacher seemed to redden slightly, nor did he hear Rook whisper to Trey : « I guess we won’t need the « coincidental picnic date » plan from my Roi du Poison, after all. »
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Later that day, Trein was alone in the teachers’room, packing his things up and preparing to go back home, when Professor Crewel appeared in the doorway. He had clearly cleaned up and changed clothes after the science club’s debacle; but one thing was missing from his usual attire.
« You finally dropped that dreadful fur coat, Professor Crewel? »
« Don’t make fun of my fashion sense, Professor. This coat is a work of art, but it isn’t something the common eye can possibly comprehend. » The young teacher humphed proudly.
« You never lost that confidence of yours. » Trein chuckled a bit, a small smile stretching his lips.
« Why would I be hesitant when I know my abilities are greater than most people? »
« Ah, there he goes again. »
« Who does? »
Trein paused for a few seconds, then resumed with an amused smile. « That young Pomefiore housewarden who had the confidence to ask his homeroom teacher, who was twice his age, out on a picnic date. »
He watched as Professor Crewel actually blushed, visibly embarrassed. « That was a long time ago, Professor Trein. »
« Yet that proud boy is still here sometimes, somehow. » Trein chuckled again while his colleague fidgeted in his corner. « I must say, I was quite impressed, back at the time. Did you know, you actually looked up to me like a puppy then? »
« Who are you calling a puppy exactly? » The alchemy teacher exclaimed with a mix of clear embarrassment and offense.
He actually laughed this time, endeared at his junior’s reaction. Trein got up from his chair with his things in hand, and closed the distance between them before he lifted a hand and lightly patted Professor Crewel’s head.
« Anyways, Divus-kun. » The young teacher actually froze at the mention of his given name. « I was wondering if you would like to accompany me on a picnic later. Maybe this weekend? »
Momentarily too shocked to answer, his junior actually stared at him in silence, eyes wide like a deer caught in a light beam in the middle of the night. After what seemed like an eternity, he tentatively asked : « Courtesy of yours? »
Trein smiled a bit and gave the young teacher one last pat on top of his head. « Of course. »
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