They had met before at a previous job. Though he had more scars now and adopted a newer, friendlier attitude, he was still the same asshole that got them both removed from their last jobs.
“Wriothesley!” Lyney snapped as he walked through the door to the staff room, the history teacher visibly sighed as he put down his mug of probably much needed coffee and turned his attention to the other
“What do you want Harth?” He asked, leaning back in his chair. Lyney glared at the man
“Why are you here?? Did you not cause enough trouble at our last place??” He demanded, hands on his hips in displeasure. Navia and Clorinde turned their attention to the two others in the staff room and shook their heads lightly
“I’m here because I got a job, harth, similar to you...now can I please drink my coffee in peace??” Wriothesley responded wearily, picking his mug back up off the table. Still feeling irritated by his seemingly apathetic response, Lyney bit his tongue and made his way back to the theatre to prepare for his next class.
Aether and Freminet sat at the back of the theatre
“Why...did you drag me in here aeth? Isn’t your sister meant to be here..?” Freminet sighed, sinking into the plush seat. Aether grinned at his friends question
“I’ve been hearing from your boyfriend that Mr Harth and Mr Wriothesley have a bit of a spark between them..” Aether murmured, half listening to what his teacher was talking about, Freminet hummed thoughtfully
“I mean...its not...untrue...something is between them...but I can’t tell if it’s because they’re in love or if they just loath each other.” He spoke carefully, trying not to talk too loudly. Aether went to respond but was quickly interrupted
“Aether, whilst I appreciate you trying to convince me your attention is on my lesson, why is my sweet baby brother here? He’s supposed to be in...history...or diving.” Lyney called up to the pair, Freminet quickly got up and scrambled from the room.
Meanwhile across campus, Clorinde walked into Navia's classroom and locked the door behind her
“Right- you’re fed up of it- Neuvilette is fed up of it and I’m beyond exhausted by them so- how are we going to get them to admit they want to fuck.” She asked, Navia turned on her chair to face her co-worker and friend
“Well I don’t know, you know them better than I do.” Navia mused, closing her laptop. Clorinde sighed and perched on the edge of Navia's desk
“Wriothesley is a stubborn bastard and Lyney is his father’s son. The children of Arlecchino harth are truly interesting.” Clorinde mumbled, Navia tossed her a packet of pretzels, a plan clearly forming in her head
“I know that look, Navi. Spill. what’s the plan?” Clorinde asked, opening the packet and snacking on one. Navia hummed and pushed her chair over to her colleague and put a hand on her shoulder
“Let me tell you, my dear.” She grinned.
The next day the theatre and history students were gathered in the hall, watching the two teachers at the front bickering like an old married couple
“Are you kidding Mr Wriothesley??? Why would you book the theatre when it’s my domain-???” Lyney snapped at his co-worker who seemed to take a deep breath before gently pushing the theatre teacher back
“You knew I was using it this lesson to show off some historical movies to my students.” Wriothesley responded, crossing his arms. Freminet and gaming dropped into seats beside aether and Lumine
“So...am I the only one who sees an old married couple...?” Gaming asked the 3 beside him, Freminet giggled softly and turned to Aether and lumine
“I told you there was something Frem, they’re too comfy to be strangers.” Lumine pointed out. The other three sighed and watched as the two slowly stopped bickering to try and teach their respective classes.
Over the next few weeks, the two classes combined more often, somehow managing to make the classes apply to both the history students and the theatre students whilst still being authentic in their own way. With those weeks of joined classes, the kids taking those classes watched as the two bickering teachers slowly fell into a routine, constantly 5 steps away from each other, filling in the gaps in the others knowledge. They never said anything but it was clear to those around them that something had snapped into place...or rather strengthened what was already there. Aether, Gaming, Freminet and lumine didn’t need to be any expert to see the longing and dormant love in the theatre teachers gaze, in his gentle touches to alert the other teacher which direction he was approaching from. To them it was as clear as day.
“You think they’re ever going to admit that they want to kiss each other on the mouth..?” Freminet asked, dropping into the same seat he’d been sitting in since the classes combined, Lumine's smile widened on her face
“I hear it’s the staff Christmas party this weekend...so maybe...there’s a chance for a kiss under mistletoe.” She spoke almost excitedly, her brother groaned at his sisters antics and looked to his two friends for help
“Don't look at me...chongyun is already complaining his teachers are flirting.” Gaming spoke, holding up his hands in surrender, Freminet pulled off his diving helmet and set it down by the seat
“Honestly- half this school is a call to Hr-“ he shrugged, his friends nodded in agreement before focusing back on the lesson.
It was the night of December 21st, the staff Christmas party was being held in a cosy hall. Lyney looked up at the building and then to Wriothesley
“Are we really in the right spot, Wrio..?” Lyney asked the taller male, slightly uncertain. The dark haired man nodded lightly
“It’ll be fine, spitfire...don’t worry..” he reassured the ashen haired man, placing a reassuring hand on the small of his back as he lead him into the hall. Once inside, the two reluctantly separated and went to find their friend groups. Lyney rushed into the arms of his sister and best friend Kinich whilst Wriothesley walked over to join Clorinde and Neuvilette. Though the two were engaged in separate conversations, they found their eyes finding each other across a crowded room
“Oh my archons...is this what your sisters been telling me Lyney-? Go fucking get him-“ Kinich groaned, noticing the twos locked eyes. Lyney broke their eye contact first to turn his attention to Kinich
“Its not like that kins-“ Lyney began to protest but paused, thinking back on the last 2 months with Wriothesley.
With memories a soft smile pulled on Lyney's face. Kinich glared lightly and started to push him towards Wriothesley
“Go get him or no alcohol later.” He said. Lyney nodded lightly before marching over to Wriothesley and taking his wrist
“Excuse me, Clorinde...Mr Neuvilette...I need to borrow Wriothesley.” Lyney said with a smile
“What’s wrong, spitfire..?” Wriothesley asked, turning to Lyney, a spark of worry in his eyes. Lyney just gave him a gentle smile and pulled him outside into the cool night. Wriothesley pulled Lyney's arm, still not convinced
“Wriothesley...we...need to talk.” Lyney spoke slowly, Wriothesley quickly looked him over, making sure he wasn’t injured
“So talk...what’s going on..? You’re kinda scaring me.” He responded, letting go of Lyney's wrist. Lyney took a breath and messed with one of the rings on his finger
“Look...when I first met you, I thought you were truly annoying..” Lyney began, Wriothesley tilted his head slightly in confusion.
Lyney smiled lightly at his confusion
“But as our classes combined and we got closer...I slowly fell in love with you.” Lyney said, taking Wriothesley’s hands in his. Wriothesley looked Lyney in the eyes, admiring their beautiful purple colour
“Oh...Lyney- you see- I don't-“ Wriothesley began, looking away from him. Lyney dropped his hands and stepped back, his heart breaking in his chest
“I-i didn’t.. I didn’t mean to assume..” Lyney stammered, tears starting to gloss over his eyes. Wriothesley felt his own heart breaking at the sight of the person he cared so deeply about looking so rejected
“N-no listen- spitfire-“ he began but every word seemed to only fuel his breaking heart.
Wriothesley had seen sadness before, he had seen it in his daughter when her mother figure had left him, he of course had seen it in his own reflection but this sort of sadness didn’t belong on the fireball of a theatre teacher he found himself slowly falling in love with. His fiery attitude, his amethyst eyes that house a subtle shade of pink that make him melt on the spot, his blindly bright smile that’s all too warm, like a bonfire. He loved it all. Wriothesley grabbed Lyney’s wrist and pulled him into his chest, holding on tight to ensure he wouldn’t slip away again
“Let me finish...I don't know how to word things...I’m not very good and voicing how I feel...more of an actions man...but I adore...everything about you...your eyes...your smile...your warm and yet fiery personality. I love it all...and I wouldn’t change a thing about you...” he spoke I’m a softer tone, meeting Lyney's gaze, tears were spilling down his cheeks, though this time Wriothesley was certain they were more for relief
“You made me doubt your heart...you asshole-“ Lyney muttered, hitting his chest lightly, making Wriothesley hum in acknowledgement
“Yeah...I know..” he said
Back inside, watching from a window, Navia and Clorinde glared at Neuvilette who now stood beside Zhongli
“Pay up you two...that was the contract.” Zhongli stated. The two women dug into their purses and pulled out some mora and handed it to Neuvilette who smirked and looked to his husband
“Did I ever tell you that you’re incredible, my beloved?” He asked, Zhongli cracked a rare smile of his own and wrapped an arm around Neuvilette's back
“Is that so?” He mused. Navia and chlorine looked to one another and sighed, shaking their heads
“I guess that backfired on us..” Navia said and leant into Clorinde's side. The purpled haired woman laughed gently
“You don’t say...but hey, at least they’re happy.”