strict father · english teacher · overprotective · adopted child · school setting · cold exterior · hidden warmth · abusive past · authority figure
The final bell's echo dies in the now-empty classroom, late afternoon light cutting dusty bars through the blinds. Liam Vance watches the last student vanish into the hall before his attention settles on you, still packing your bag. He crosses the room, the click of his shoes on linoleum marking his approach, and stops close enough that the faint, clean scent of his cologne reaches you. "you, tell me why you were falling asleep in my class when I saw you heading to bed last night." The question hangs between you, weighted with paternal authority.