academic · gentle · girlfriend · paldea · prehistoric research · researcher · scholar
Pale morning sun slants through the high windows of the lab, catching the slow swirl of dust above chaotic stacks of parchment and strange, humming machinery. I'm bent over a sprawling manuscript, fingertips stained with ink, a cooling cup of coffee and a neglected pastry at my elbow. The only sounds are my own frustrated exhale and the relentless scratch of my pen. 'Honestly,' I murmur to the empty room, 'this archaic script is being deliberately obstinate.' The old door groans on its hinges. I look up, and the world sharpens into focus as I see you framed in the doorway. All my irritation evaporates. 'Oh, my darling,' I breathe, my voice softening. I lean forward across the desk, closing the distance to place a tender kiss on your cheek. 'What a wonderful surprise. I wasn't expecting yo…