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Jessica sat down next to her friends near the math building.
“Did you guys hear about Doctor Coyote and the new principal?” She asked.
“No?” Leo frowned.
“I did, but I don’t believe it.” Alex said.
“Alex, I was in the class.” Jessica said excitedly, the whole group turning towards her now.
“Wait, omg, so what happened?” Ari asked.
“Doctor Coyote said his name. And not just his name- his nickname. Spoke-spoke, like, verbally.” Jessica grinned.
“No way.”
“Yes way! It was just that, he went back to his board and ASL afterwards, but he said his nickname!” She insisted.
“Doctor C hates nicknames!” Leo gasped.
“He doesn’t hate them, remember when Nav saw him hanging out with Mr Duck and Mr Pig at the mall? He was using nicknames then.” Alex pointed out.
“Maybe it’s part of the black and white autistic thinking thing? So, nicknames are for socialising and first names for professional settings.” Ari said. “Could he really be that strict with himself about names?” Mitch asked.
“Sure, it’s not the weirdest thing I’ve seen a neuro diverse person be strict about, and he grew up when there were a shit ton more etiquette rules.”
“Damn, true that.” Leo nodded.
“Wait- if Doctor Coyote is comfortable enough with Mr Bunny to use a nickname and speak verbally around- do you think they could have a thing for each other?” Alex offered.
“No way! Doctor C is obsessed with Mr Runner!” Mitch protested.
“He hates Mr Runner!” Leo shot back.
“They’re literally in love with each other.”
“They literally hate each others guts.”
“We’d need more evidence than just one use of a name.” Ari interrupted.
“Good thing Mr Bunny is sticking around then, huh?” Jessica said, sharing grins with her friends. There was nothing better than trying to find out random information (or sweet juicy goss) about your teachers.
—
Bugs stood outside with Wile watching over the kids as they ate and played.
“So how’d you end up in Holesworth anyway?”
“I had been teaching at a private school. It was awful!” He repeated the last sign a few times to emphasise the word, making Bugs laugh. “Just started searching for any other teaching position and this was the first place that replied.”
“And ya like it out here?”
“I do.” Wile smiled, even as he didn’t take his eyes off the students. “It’s interesting enough to keep me busy, and calm enough to not be overwhelming. I also-“ He cut his signs off to blow a short burst of a whistle, gesturing to a group of boys moving towards the basketball hoops. He then gestured to the ground near the bin where one of the boys had missed the bin and the rubbish landed on the ground.
“Sorry Doctor C!” One of them called, running over and putting the rubbish in the bin properly. Wile nodded at the group, and they continued on their way.
“I also keep myself pretty occupied with my kid.”
“Yeah, where did a high school age kid spring from anyway?” Bugs asked. “I can’t make the math work in my head.”
“I’m currently fostering him.”
“Ah, gotcha. You doing anything this weekend?”
“Why?”
“Wanna be a tour guide for your old pal?” Bugs asked, holding his hands under his chin and batting his eyes playfully. “Pretty please?”
Wile rolled his eyes, but nodded anyway, making Bugs beam.
—
Kevin ran over to Adrian and Rod, eyes gleaming.
“You guys! Mr Bunny and Doctor C are going on a date this weekend!” He hissed, trying to keep his voice down. Rod gasped, punching Kevin’s shoulder.
“No the fuck they aren’t!”
“I just saw them organise it with my own eyes! Mr Bunny asked Doctor C to be his tour guide around town while batting his eyes, and Doctor C said yes!” Kevin said.
Adrian shifted to look over at the pair of teachers, studying them for a few moments.
“Doctor C does seem more… relaxed than I’ve ever seen him with anyone else.”
“He’s hardly relaxed.” Rod said.
“More relaxed. Comparatively."
“Hm. I guess… but what about Mr Runner?”
Kevin turned to look at the teachers, then back to his friends.
“Maybe it actually is hate.” He said. Rod sighed.
“Man, it’s always the ones I’m rooting for.”
“My dude you have got to get over Johnlock.”
“Never!”
—
Wile led his class into the gym for the school assembly, gesturing them up into the stands to take their seats before heading over to the teachers area. He took a seat next to Marvin, casting his eyes out for Yakko. He found him sitting towards the top of the stands with his friends Princeton and Brian (or, as Yakko called them, Pinky and the Brain). The boy saw him looking and waved, Wile nodding back.
Rhodes came over and sat next to him, making Wile tense. He wanted nothing more than to take his husbands arm, maybe lean into his side, but they were at work. They couldn’t be Unprofessional at work. They needed to be Respectable. He hated being near Rhodes and not even be able to even hold his hand. He glared at the man, because he knew that Rhodes knew that, and Rhodes had the nerve to wink at him.
That was not Professional!
His husband was such a bitch.
(He loved him so much he wanted to explode).
Mrs Lorree stood at the podium and turned on the microphone.
“Alright dearies, settle down for me.” She said, waiting for most of the chatter to quiet down.
“Thank you. Now, you all know that this is my last week here as your principal. Watching you all learn and grow everyday has been such a joy. Each and every one of you are such bright, intelligent people. I look forward to seeing what you will all accomplish. If there is one last lesson I would like to impart you all, it’s this: your goals and achievements do not need to match anyone else’s. Everyone has their own strengths and struggles. Sometimes a win looks like a Nobel prize, and sometimes a win looks like getting up everyday and fighting to keep going. Thank you all for giving me the chance to guide you on your journey. I will truly miss you all.”
“We love you Miss Granny!” One of the kids yelled, and they all started cheering and applauding. Wile managed to hold back a flinch at the sudden loud noise reverberating off the metal roof, and took several deep breaths to keep himself collected. Rhodes started flicking his arm, giving him a physical sensation to focus on. He glanced at Rhodes, acknowledging the help, and focused back on Mrs Lorree.
“Thank you, thank you, dearies. Please settle down again.” She chuckled. “Now, please be kind to your new principal, Mr Bunny.” There was a round of semi-polite applause, which is the best you could hope for from a group of teenagers.
“Such a lovely speech there, doc. Gonna be hard to live up to this legacy, ain’t it?” Bugs (no wait- that’s not Professional) Bennett smiled out at the crowd. “I won’t bore ya too much today, I need to know how this place ticks before I go shaking things up. I’ve got some big, beautiful shoes to fill, and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”
There was another light smattering of claps, and Bennett called up Lola to talk about the student art show.
—
“Doctor Coyote.” Brian called, making him stop.
“Wait, Brainy- no!” Yakko hissed, clutching his backpack straps and looking stressed.
“I would like to invite Yakko to a sleepover this weekend and am seeking your permission.” Brian continued. Wile blinked for a moment. Of course Yakko could go to his friends house for a sleepover, why would that be in question? Yakko looked stressed though, there had to be a reason.
“Yakko and I will talk at home in private and inform you tomorrow.” He answered instead. Brian accepted this with a nod.
“If I might also ask for a favour. I’ve been working on a personal project and would appreciate it if you could double check my work.”
“Of course.” Wile offered the boy a smile as he was immediately handed some paperwork. He waved the boy forward, making eye contact with Yakko. His kid bit his lip and looked away, quickly following his friend.
Hm. That couldn't be good.
“Bye Doctor C!” Princeton waved happily as he went past. “Hey guys- wait for me!”
—
“Oh my god! Did you see them at the assembly?!” Barry giggled, standing around the bus stop.
“Doctor C glared at him twice!” Diana laughed.
“One of those times Mr Runner was flicking him.” Bruce said.
“Yeah, and Clark was squeezing your hand because of the noise. Same thing.” Diana shrugged. Bruce went red and huffed.
“It is not the same.”
“You guys talking about Mr Runner and Doctor Coyote? I feel bad for Mr Runner.” Hal said as he joined them.
“You feel bad for him?” Barry asked.
“Yeah man. He’s obviously head over heels for the guys but Doctor C hates him.”
“Wait- hang on- I’d never considered that dynamic before.” Barry said, holding out his hands.
“Honestly, I hadn’t either, but then I saw Doctor C hanging out with Mr Bunny. Someone said they were going on a date this weekend.”
“What?!” Diana gasped. “A date?! Who said that?”
“Uhh…” Hal pulled out his phone and scrolled through his messages. “Adrian did.”
“Woahh, Adrian? That could be credible.” Barry said. Diana was nodding at that too.
“Guys, guys!” Clark ran up with a manic grin. “I just overheard Mr Brunny asking Doctor C to text him about where to meet this weekend!”
“Well shit. They really are going on a date.” Bruce said. “Damn. I was rooting for Mr Runner.”
“You were what? Bruce! You’re always trying to make platonic excuses for them!” Barry gasped, offended.
“Just because I believe in having full evidence doesn’t mean I wasn’t rooting for them.” He sighed. “My rides here, see you guys tomorrow.”
They all said goodbye and waved Bruce off.
“I can’t believe he was a truther this whole time.” Hal shook his head. “What a crazy little shit.”
—
Wile knocked on Yakko’s door once the little kids were in bed, pushing it open at the come in! from the boy.
“Hey, how’s your homework going?”
“It’s whatever, I’m getting it done.” Yakko sighed, putting his pen down. “Ooh, both of you are here. Great.” He crossed his arms, looking away.
“I take it you know what we wanna talk about.” Rhodes said.
“It’s not a big deal, I asked Brainy not to mention it. I know I can’t go.” Yakko said flatly. Wile frowned, coming further in and kneeling down besides the boys chair, Rhodes following suit.
“Hey, sweetheart, look at me.” He said gently, waiting until the boy reluctantly turned. “Why wouldn’t you be allowed to go?”
“Not supposed to be away overnight. Too long without supervision. Could say anything.”
Wile’s heart broke for his kid, while simultaneously feeling a burning rage for the Warners.
“Yakko, that’s not one of our rules.” He reminded gently. Yakko blinked a few times, frowning.
“Oh… it’s not?”
“No baby.” Rhodes said. “It’s not. Do you want to go to Brain’s house for a sleepover?”
Yakko sniffled and nodded, playing with his hands.
“Then you can. It sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun, huh?” Wile smiled softly. Yakko nodded again.
“Do you want a hug, baby?” Rhodes asked. The boy shook his head.
“I’m- I’m okay. Thanks- I’ll tell Brain I can come.” He said quietly.
“Alright. We love you kiddo.” Wile reminded.
“So much. We’ll let you think, okay?” Rhodes said, standing and taking Wile’s hand.
They closed the door behind them, and shared a look before heading to the living room to try and do some marking. They knew their kid by now. Sure enough, about twenty minutes later Yakko was standing in front of them looking at the floor and shuffling his feet. Wile reached over and pulled him onto the couch between them, both adults wrapping their arms around the boy.
“I can really go?” He said, his voice small again like it had been when he first came to them.
“You can really go. We will be checking with Brain’s parents and making sure there will be adult supervision, but yes. We want you to spend time with your friends and have fun.” Wile promised, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Rhodes ran his hand through Yakko’s hair, smiling softly down at him.
“You are always allowed to ask for things here, Yakko. The answer won’t be yes every time, but you are always allowed to ask.”
Yakko swallowed thickly, squeezing Wile’s hand tight.
“What if it’s dark?” He whispered. Wile squeezed back.
“You’ve told them a bit about what happened, and they’re your friends. I’m sure they will be more than fine to leave a lamp on for you.”
“And if you decide it’s too much for you, you can call us. Even if it’s three am. If you decide that you wanna come home, you call us and we will come get you.” Rhodes added.
“Or even if you just want to call us at three am to talk, you can do that too.” Wile said.
“Really?”
“Really.” They both promised.
Yakko’s breath hitched, and he started crying. Wile and Rhodes pressed in closer, just holding their baby while he processed everything. Once he calmed down a little, Rhodes got him a hot chocolate, and Wile put on his favourite movie, and they sat cuddled with him until he fell asleep.