Archive of Our Own

He was late. That was the only thought running through Robby’s head as he speed walked across the hallways of his daughter’s high school. They were empty—all staff and parents already being in classrooms—the open house having started thirty minutes ago. His mind drifts back to this morning.

“Dad please, pleeeeease don’t be late today.” June says before she takes a bite of her bagel.

“What makes you think I’m going to be late?” Robby says affronted.

June just raises an eyebrow and gives him a look.

“Okay fine, but I’m not going to be late today.” He says sounding defensive. “I’m not!” He repeats when she just keeps staring at him.

She sighs “I know saving lives is important, but please I just want you to make it to Mr. Robinsons’ class. The year barely started and he’s already giving me a hard time. I don’t want him to think the whole family is washed just because my dad shows up late to the open house.”

Robby rolls his eyes at that “I will be there.” He says more sure this time.

He looks down at his watch and curses under his breath. “I have to go junebug, but I promise I will be there tonight.” He gives her a kiss on the head before picking up his tumbler from the kitchen counter. “Don’t be late to school.” He shoots over his shoulder as he leaves the kitchen.

“Look who’s talking! Good luck at work.” She shoots back.

Robby chuckles before he leaves the house.

Now, standing in the middle of an empty hallway, he looks down at his phone at the schedule the school sent to him two days ago.

He sighs as he makes his way up the stairs—at least he didn’t miss Mr. Robinsons’ class. And if he remembers correctly, Mr. Whitaker is June’s favorite teacher—so this shouldn’t be so bad.

He makes it to room 203 and he can see the teacher is already deep in explaining the course to the parents. He lets out a breath and walks in.

“—quite a bit of reading for this class.” The teacher—Mr. Whitaker, Robby recalls—ushers him in with a hand gesture without stopping his presentation.

Robby feels embarrassed for disturbing his flow but the man doesn’t seem bothered at all, casually rolling into his next talking point while Robby awkwardly shuffles into an empty chair in the classroom. He must be used to it, being a teacher and all, with students walking in late to class.

Robby tunes in to the class trying to pay attention to what the teacher is saying about the syllabus and expectations from the students. He has a very sweet voice, gentle, if a little awkward, but still holding the attention of the whole classroom.

He’s quite young, Robby notices, late twenties—early thirties max. He’s wearing light-wash jeans and a cozy looking mint green sweater. He has fluffy brown curls that are slightly shaved on the sides of his head. He would love to run his fingers through those curls, Robby thinks distractedly.

Mr. Whitaker glances over at him and Robby realizes that he’s been staring and has not listened to a word he said since walking in. He blushes and looks away.

“That’s pretty much it.” Mr. Whitaker claps his hands together. “Oh, and I do run the debate team, so if any of your kids are interested in that, we’re still taking applicants.” He finishes off with a smile.

Mr. Whitaker turns to look at something on his desk as the parents start shuffling out of the classroom. Robby hangs back for a bit, just watching him. He’s not sure why he doesn’t leave immediately but something pulls him to the man standing at the front of the classroom.

“Hi” He says approaching him. The younger man looks up at him smiling “Mr. Whitaker? Sorry. I just wanted to apologize for interrupting your presentation.” Says Robby extending his hand for a handshake.

Mr. Whitaker takes his hand—he has really soft hands, Robby thinks. He looks into his eyes as he shakes his hand and he’s pretty sure his lungs stop working for a minute. He has the most striking blue eyes he has ever seen. Robby is sure he could get lost in those eyes.

Robby keeps staring just holding on to the man’s hand and he’s pretty sure he said something but he has no idea what it was.

He shakes his head and pulls his hand away “Sorry, what was that?”

Mr. Whitaker laughs softly—god he has the most amazing laugh— and shakes his head “It’s not a problem Mr…?” He trails off.

“Robinavitch.” Robby supplies. “I’m June’s dad.”

Mr. Whitaker’s eyes light up “Ohhh June! My favorite student.” He exclaims happily. “Don’t tell anyone I said that, we’re not supposed to have favorites.” He adds in a mock-whisper winking at Robby.

Robby chuckles, blushing slightly “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

“You’re definitely her favorite teacher.” He adds after a short pause.

Robby’s eyes start trailing down, he can’t see much of the man’s build with the giant sweater he’s wearing. He definitely has a smaller build, a bit short in stature and a slimmer figure. Robby notices his ID hanging on a rainbow lanyard.

“Well Mr. Robinavitch, it was nice meeting you but not all teachers take as kindly to tardies as I do.” Says Mr. Whitaker smiling slightly.

Robby catches himself checking the man out and looks up blushing “Yeah, sorry again.” He scratches the back of his neck feeling embarrassed. “I got caught up at work.”

“It’s no problem.” Says Mr. Whitaker giving him another dazzling smile—Robby notices he has a small gap between his teeth and it might be the cutest thing he’s ever seen in his life. The image of a cute little bunny pops into his head.

Robby knows he needs to leave but he’s really having a hard time walking away. But Mr. Whitaker is looking at him expectantly and he has nothing else to say. He gives a small nod and turns around to leave. He makes it as far as the doorway before he turns back. Mr. Whitaker is looking down at his desk organizing some papers.

“Actually.” Robby calls out, Mr. Whitaker looks up confused “Would you like to have coffee sometime.” Robby says and he can feel himself blushing—he’s not usually this awkward, he doesn’t know what’s gotten into him today.

Mr. Whitaker blushes hard—his whole face turning red all the way up to the tips of his ears. “Ummm.. I—“ He says, stumbling over his words.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Robby rushes to add, walking back into the classroom. “We can.. talk about the debate team. I remember Juney said she wanted to join.”

A surprised high-pitched laugh leaves Mr. Whitaker “Yeah, umm, she’s already part of the team.” He adds.

“Yeah.. sorry.” Says Robby laughing as well.

Both men look into each others eyes—it could’ve lasted for a second or three hours, he really couldn’t tell.

Robby really feels like he’s made an ass of himself. He clears his throat “Sorry. I’ll..” He trails off pointing behind him at the door.

As he’s turning to leave he hears Mr. Whitaker speak “Coffee would be nice.”

Robby turns back beaming. He sees Mr. Whitaker biting his lip, still blushing.

“Yeah?” Robby says with a face splitting smile on his face.

Mr. Whitaker looks up at him with a shy smile on his face “Yeah.” He nods.

Robby walks closer to the man “Okay, so can I get your number. So we can plan our coffee d.. meeting.” He says stumbling over his words. Smooth, Robinavitch.

Mr. Whitaker laughs as he takes Robby’s phone from him to put in his number. He saves his number under the name Dennis Whitaker.

“Dennis.” Robby reads out, testing the name.

Dennis blushes and nods. He tilts his head at him slightly and Robby realizes he’s waiting for him to tell him his name.

“I’m Michael.” He says after a beat, smiling.

“Well, I look forward to our coffee meeting, Michael.” Dennis says teasingly.

Robby laughs and shakes his head. “Yeah, me too.”

The two of them stand there again just looking into each others eyes, both smiling shyly.

“I should get to the next class.” Robby says after a minute.

“I’m pretty sure you missed the next class.” Dennis says looking up at the clock at the back of the classroom.

Robby just shrugs “It’s worth it. Have a good night Dennis. I’ll text you.” He says as he turns to leave the class.

Dennis laughs “Goodbye Michael.”

“So let me get this straight.” Says June stopping her chopsticks midair. They’re sitting at the dinner table having Chinese take out. “You went to my school for an open house to talk to my teachers about my education..”

Robby groans.

“And came out of there with a date.. with my favorite teacher. Did I get that right?” Says June with a smirk on her face.

“Juney..” Robby tries to reason but he has no excuses.

“No, no. Just making sure I got that right.” June says teasingly.

Robby drops his chopsticks into the noodles and covers his face with his hands. He sighs deeply before saying “Yes.”

She raises an eyebrow at him waiting for him to continue.

“You make me sound like a terrible father.” Robby says despondent.

“I never said that.” Says June hiding a smile. “But you have to admit, the optics are not great.”

“No they are not.” He mumbles. “But after seeing those eyes, I could not resist.” He chuckles lightly.

June snorts “Wow dad, who knew you were such a romantic.”

Robby sighs again “I’m sorry Juney. I will not ask Den—Mr. Whitaker out if it makes you uncomfortable.” He says looking at her seriously.

“Really? You’re going to be able to resist his eyes when you shut him down?” She says teasingly batting her eyelashes at him.

“Hey!” He says affronted, pointing his chopsticks at her. “I will text him and let him know I will not be taking him out.” He says more assured, although he can’t hide the hint of disappointment in his voice.

“His eyes will not affect me because I will not be staring into them when I tell him this.” He adds more quietly looking down at his plate.

He doesn’t notice the look June is giving him as he continues to look down into his plate. “Are you serious?” Says June after a minute.

He looks up and gives her a reassuring smile—or at least he hopes it is, he can’t be sure “Of course bug, I would never want to make you uncomfortable.”

She places a hand over his and looks into his eyes “Dad,” she says slowly, making sure he’s looking at her “I was only messing with you. I don’t care if you want to date one of my teachers.”

“No, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want the other kids to bully you over this.” Robby says placing his other hand over hers resigned in his decision.

He couldn’t believe he didn’t consider how this would make his June feel before he asked the man out. He feels like the worst father on the planet. 

June squeezes his hand lightly urging him to look at her “Daddy I’m serious.” She looks at him sincerely “I’m okay with you dating Mr. Whitaker. It doesn’t bother me.”

“In your defense, he does have gorgeous eyes. And that hair? Wow!” She adds after a second, lightening the mood.

Robby chuckles shaking his head at his daughters antics “Tell me about it.” He mumbles.

“I mean I would have preferred if you asked Mr. Robinson out so he can be nicer to me. But hey, the heart wants what the heart wants.” She says throwing her hands up in an exaggerated shrug.

Robby laughs loudly “That man is one of the most unpleasant people I have ever met. And I meet a lot of people.”

“Uggghhh, I know. Miserable old fuck.” Says June groaning.

“Language.” Says Robby but his laugh betrays the stern tone he tries to take.

They continue their meal, the conversation diverting away from the topic of the date. June going into a whole rant about something a boy named Ivan did at lunch today. Robby wonders what he did to deserve such an amazing daughter.

Michael

Hi Dennis, It’s Michael. I hope you’re having a good night. [9:32 PM]

How does Saturday at 4 PM sound? [9:32 PM]