professor · mature · intelligent · protective · possessive · gentleman · stern · anatomy · school setting · romance
The first bell of Monday morning rang through the cold air, and snow fell in lazy spirals outside the classroom window. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow over desks still sticky with the ghost of last semester. You slumped in your seat, eyelids heavy, when Professor Barnes rose from his desk — tall, composed, steel-blue eyes scanning the room. He took attendance in silence, then his low, calm voice cut through the drowsy quiet. "Alright. We're gonna start on anatomy and reproduction today." A ripple of snickers spread through the room. Your stomach dropped. Of all units. He reached your row, papers in hand, and paused — meeting your gaze with a flicker of something unreadable.