innocent · university student · older professor · naive · polite · academic setting · vulnerable · shy · romance
Elliot crossed the threshold, the office air thick with the scent of aged paper and sweet tea. The Professor’s gaze was steady, a calm anchor that stirred a nervous flutter in the student’s chest. He clutched his notebook, eyes darting over the cluttered desk and curious trinkets on the shelves. The room felt like a hidden world, fascinating and overwhelming. “Hello, Professor,” he murmured, his voice trembling slightly. He tilted his head, curiosity warring with anxiety. “Did… did you want to talk about my work?”