Work Text:
Six months since Edward and Workner began sharing a bed
Slowly but surely, the colder months dragged on. Edward found himself storing more and more of his personal items in Workner’s bedroom, enough so that the other mage moved some of his warmer-weather clothes into Edward’s own closet to make room for Edward’s things.
They didn’t always go to sleep together, or wake up together for that matter. But sometime during the night, one or the other would slip into bed and gravitate to the other. Neither of them mentioned the pattern, but it became obvious to Edward at least that his own mood improved with the frequency of their physical touch.
For example, on nights when the two of them managed to fall asleep at the same time, Edward would wake up more refreshed and alert. Or on days when the two would manage to grab a meal or snack together around midday, Edward noticed he had more patience for the idiots in his later seminars.
Edward was a man of logic and research, and he could hardly deny the pattern that was emerging. He shuddered to think what would happen if the two of them managed to get a full night’s sleep together as well as breakfast and lunch; Edward might actually smile at work.
They always kept a professional distance during the day, respecting each other’s schedules and time. Their lecture times were mostly incompatible, for one. Another roadblock presented itself in Workner’s many student interactions.
Workner often volunteered his time as a mentor to the younger students finding their feet in the Academy, as well as a guide to the older students that tended to fall behind in credit acquisition. Edward knew it was in Workner’s nature to care, but he couldn’t help feeling like Workner was wasting his time.
Seeing Workner add Remedial Lessons to his already packed schedule rubbed Edward in a way that brought his hackles up. Everyone seemed to want a piece of Workner; so much, the other man didn’t seem to have anything left for himself.
Edward could only take so much. Finally, he snapped.
The next day after Workner’s final lesson, Edward strode into the classroom as students packed their bags. Sure enough, a cluster of the brats was converging on Workner like slavering beasts. Devouring Workner’s energy and time.
Unacceptable.
“Professor Workner. A word.” Edward called as he strode toward the mage. Students scattered refreshingly in his wake, making hasty retreats out of the classroom. Workner’s head came up, a confused look on his tired face.
“Professor Edward. Of course.” Workner looked down at the few students who stuck it out despite Edward’s presence. “I’ll talk to you during my office hours tomorrow. Please find me then,” Workner told them kindly. Edward clenched his fists.
“Professor Workner,” the Dark Viper Mage growled at the disappointed groans of a few. Workner hushed the idiots and sent them on their way, leaving the two of them alone in the classroom. “Yes, Professor Edward? Did you need something from me?” Workner asked, gathering one of his many stacks of paper.
Edward grabbed the other mage’s hand, and tugged in the direction of the door. “Come with me,” Edward said grimly. Workner stumbled a bit before catching up. “Professor Edward, hold on a minute. I’m coming, you don’t have to pull,” Workner groused.
Edward dropped the other man’s hand, though he kept Workner in his sight as he navigated the hallway to the cafeteria. It was late, but the staff always kept an assortment of light foods for late-night students and professors until eight or nine. Edward had checked, and it was barely seven. Time enough for his task.
Herding Workner ahead of himself, he poked and prodded and growled until the other man had filled a plate with both meat and vegetables. Edward himself had already eaten, but he still grabbed an apple to take with him. Workner would eat more if Edward himself ate.
By the time the two reached a table, Workner had begun to accept his fate. He attempted to make conversation, but Edward simply glared and uttered one word.
“Eat.”
Workner did. Slowly at first, then with more gusto. Edward felt a sense of satisfaction, watching the other mage clear his plate. He also felt a sense of frustration. For all of Workner’s nagging at Edward to take better care of himself, the other man could be alarmingly blind to his own needs.
“Feel better?” Edward drawled as Workner wiped his mouth on a napkin. Workner smiled brightly. “Much better. I can’t remember the last time I sat down and had a full meal.” Edward gritted his teeth, fighting down a terse comment or two. He knew enough about Workner to know the stubborn fool didn’t respond well to ultimatums or threats. So Edward swallowed his pride, and spoke softly.
“You have to remember to take care of yourself, Workner. How can you help all those needy brats of yours if you’re dead on your feet?”
Well, he’d tried, Edward winced internally. To Edward’s relief, though, Workner simply sighed in defeat. “I know, I know.” He said glumly.
“There’s just so much to do, and they all need so much,” Workner continued, putting his hand through hair at the back of his head. Before Edward could offer a scathing commentary on the sorry state of said needy idiots, Workner waved him off.
“I know what you’ll say, and you might be right. But it’s my duty as their teacher to support them as much as I can.”
“Support, not carry, Workner,” Edward said flatly. “You’re not the only professor with a bleeding heart. Let Professor Eliza or Professor Bruno take some of the weight, if you can’t bear to see the ducklings drown.”
Workner’s smile brightened, despite Edward’s words.
“Not offering your own services, Professor Edward?”
Edward wouldn’t dignify that with a response. Workner chuckled, stretched, then rose to his feet. Edward knew the cafeteria staff would clean the tray. Workner made it a few feet before he turned around and grabbed Edward’s sleeve. He tugged gently, and Edward rose to his feet. “Come on, Dark Viper Mage. Bring the apple; you can have it as a snack in the morning,” Workner teased. Frowning, Edward rose to his feet and followed Workner back to their suite.
As the two men settled down for the evening, Workner poked Edward in the side. Edward looked at him, puzzled. Workner merely gave him a soft smile, before saying “thank you, Ed,” with complete sincerity. Edward was glad for the low light which hid a sudden blush over his cheeks.
“You’re welcome, Workner,” Edward replied. Then he blew out the light, and silently gathered Workner in his arms. Together, they drifted off to sleep.