Chapter Text
ANAXAGORAS, the genius chrysos heir, could answer any question you throw at him. scientific topics? he knows it like the back of his hand. mathematics? he presents it to you like he's been reciting the lines since birth.
but when asked where the line between friendship and something more begins, anaxagoras fell silent.
he knew about it. about those whispers amongst the other chrysos heirs. about how they nudged each others' shoulders when he accidentally bumped into you, how some squeal in excitement as if they were watching a romance drama, and how you stared at him apologetically, like you always did.
"oh, sorry, anaxa. i wasn't looking." you smiled at him, and the world seemed to stop for a minute as the two of you stood still in the corners of marmoreal market. his eyes softened just slightly at your tone—before it twitched in annoyance when you called him by his nickname.
"it's a-na-xa-go-ras, or professor," he corrected you, "and it's fine. i wasn't focused much on the road anyway. just be careful." if he caught himself talking like this to anyone other than you, he'd probably cringe physically.
you nodded politely at his words, and just as you were about to excuse yourself—another voice chimed in. "woah, what's this? care to explain yourself, professor?" it was phainon, his voice boomed louder than a droma's roar—a hyperbole. but anaxa would nod his head faster than anyone could at that comparison.
anaxa sighed in frustration, realizing some people were now staring at them. mostly at phainon, of course. he turned around, hands crossed across his chest as he narrowed his eyes. "what is it, phainon? and could you not speak that loud? you're bringing unwanted attention."
"we're sorry, professor. lord phainon and i were assigned by lady aglaea to look for you..." castorice lowered her head apologetically, and her eyes accidentally gazed at you, standing awkwardly behind anaxa. she gave a small smile. "but it seems like you were busy."
"what are you insinuating?" anaxa glared.
"come on, professor! we know about the whole thing between you and name. there's no use in denying it." phainon raised his hands, smiling playfully at anaxa. the latter only sighed, deciding to ignore the whole thing instead of arguing about it.
"believe what you will," he brushed past phainon without sparing a glance, leaving you standing there, unmoving. castorice followed suit after bidding you goodbye, walking behind anaxa.
phainon only laughed—used to his professor's somewhat bitter replies. he then turned to you, his smile still plastered on his face. "don't worry, he says things that he doesn't mean. i'm sure he thinks differently about you."
you shook your head, finally breaking into a smile. "what are you saying, phainon?" you gave a nervous laugh. "i don't care much what he thinks about me. we are just acquaintances, after all. i'm sure he thinks the same of me." you finally excused yourself politely, leaving phainon standing in the quiet corner.
"i've never seen two people almost dating and still denying it.." he muttered to himself. and if phainon were to announce it to the whole world—he knew that everyone would agree with him except for the two of you. he turned on his heels, trying to keep up with the already disappearing castorice and anaxa.