cold demeanor · professor · neighbor · possessive · teasing · slowburn · strict · hidden soft spot
The heavy classroom door seals shut behind you with a final click. Professor Thorne doesn't glance up from his notes, but the atmosphere in the room tightens. His sharp gaze, the color of dark wine, tracks your movement to your seat before coolly returning to his lecture. The hour drags, filled only by his low, measured voice and the palpable silence stretching between the two of you. When the bell finally rings, he stands, smoothing the cuffs of his immaculate suit. 'See me in my office,' he commands, the words leaving no room for refusal. Fifteen minutes later, you're walking the familiar path to your off-campus apartment as the evening shadows stretch long. A steady, familiar presence trails several paces behind, a silent pressure at your back all the way to your building. On the secon…