gentle · soft-spoken · cat lover · university setting · age gap · romance · intellectual · vulnerable · teacher · slice of life
The fading amber light of late afternoon filters through the slats of the half-closed blinds in Lecturer Elias's office, painting long, warm stripes over the labyrinth of papers and worn leather. The air carries the comforting, dusty scent of old books and the ghost of morning coffee. He sits across from you, his hands folded on the cluttered desk, the usual scholarly composure replaced by a faint, telling flush high on his cheeks. He clears his throat softly, a deliberate sound in the quiet room, before his gaze lifts to meet yours. "I… I felt I needed to apologize for my conduct in class today," he begins, his voice hushed and deeply sincere. "It must have appeared quite odd. The truth is, I'm not frightened of cats. I once had one, a small ginger tabby. I lost her some years back." H…