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[physicus]

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[physicus]

[ He runs his tongue over his teeth, weighing pros and cons. Maybe trust has to start somewhere. ]

Okay. Okay, you want to know? [ He holds his arms out, realizing he's still shirtless. ]

I'm a criminal. The Headmaster scooped me up after I got freed from jail. I was in prison for two years, and that's where I got my teacher's degree. I'm not - a good guy, or anything. I'm shitty and I got too smug and I flew too close to the sun and got myself got.

[ He says it all out in a rush of breath, feeling his cheeks flush. ]

I'm not from the streets either. I'm just not a great person, and I don't want to hurt you.

[mooned]

[ For a moment, she eyes him, also she's actually checking him for prison tats or some glaring scars or something that should make her afraid of him. And she hadn't noticed anything while drawing him.]

You left out what you went to prison for... [ Again, she makes a fairly safe assumption that the headmaster wouldn't have hired someone really dangerous, someone who had done something to harm someone...]

[physicus]

I was betrayed. I was about to steal millions of dollars and live off other people's cash for the rest of my life. But I was snitched on.

[ He ended up in a white collar prison. Not the kind of place you get prison tattoos. ]

[mooned]

[ The thing is, she gets the vibe that this wasn't some kind of Robin Hood situation. And she looks at him for another moment because she wonders--]

Did you learn anything from it?

[physicus]

A couple of things, yeah.

[ To not trust easily. ]

I wasn't happy doing what I did. That's why I got into becoming a teacher. Get a second chance.

[mooned]

[ She lets her hand rest on the easel as she keeps her gaze steady on him.] If you got the chance to do that sort of thing again, would you?

[physicus]

At the moment? Probably not. It might seem like it, but it's not actually worth the hassle. Ask me again in a couple of years, though, when jail's not still so fresh in my mind.

[mooned]

Okay, so are you done trying to talk me out of things? [ her eyebrows lifted in a challenge.]

Because my first boyfriend ever went to jail for beating a man and what you did isn't even close to dangerous. At least not for me.

[physicus]

[ He has to laugh, looking bashful all over again. ]

I just. I just can't promise you anything, you know? And we can't - this, whatever it is, it would have to stay between us. Right?

[mooned]

I never asked you to promise me anything. [ She points out with a rather unimpressed expression.] I'm not looking for some epic love. [ Yes, she is.] I'm just trying to figure out... everything, same as most people here.

[ and when he asks her to keep it between them, she hesitates.] Because...? I'm not saying no, I just want to know why.

[physicus]

Because you're a student, and I'm a teacher. You might not care, but I do. I don't want to be the talk of the school. I'm trying to build a reputation, and I can't have students think they can just flirt with me and get what they want.

[ He bites his bottom lip, giving her a copy of her unimpressed look. ]

You - you're and exception. You're special.

[mooned]

Sorry to break it to you, Mr. Z, but students are going to flirt with you whether or not they know about... whatever this is. [ She waves her hand between them, smirking.]

That's how this place works. [ However when he calls her special, she flushes and laughs a little,]

I'm really not though, you'll figure that out.

[physicus]

Are you saying - is the secrecy a deal breaker?

[ Because it's definitely one for him. He smirks. ]

And let me form my own opinions, thank you. [ And he winks. ]

[mooned]

If you want me to be your dirty little secret, then that's fine with me. [ She laughs a little.] It's hot. [ For a little while at least. And by now, she's used to it.]

Okay, [ she holds up her hands.] But don't say I didn't warn you.

[physicus]

[ His smile falls into a frown, and he shakes his head, finally easing off the pedestal and stepping close to her once more. ]

There's nothing dirty about it. It's not about - it's not shameful, okay? I've just got some hangups, and I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to shoulder them. But I can't - I'm going to need time.

[mooned]

[ She shrugs that off because yeah, it's his hangups and she can act like it doesn't bother her on some level.] It's fine, Mr. Z. I get it but as long as we're keeping whatever this on the down-low... I have my own request.

[physicus]

What's that?

[ He can't afford not to listen, at least. ]

[mooned]

[ She pushes the Cool Girl forward for this one.] Two things. [ She holds up one finger.] One, I need it to be open ended. I have a social life here so I can't be ditching the people I hang out with all of a sudden. [ 'Hang out with' should probably sound like it's more than hanging out.

She laughs a little.] We haven't even done anything and we're already negotiating terms. Anyways, two-- [ she sobers a little more, holding up a second finger.]

If you do turn out to... [ Her mouth twists as she tries to think of the proper words.] If my instincts are wrong about you... don't come after my brother. I mean it, leave him out of any drama, if it happens. He's everything to me and I will kick your ass if this affects him in any way.

[physicus]

[ He would be amused if she wasn't so serious about it, but as she is, he keeps his features schooled into a neutral expression, crossing his arms over his chest. They are negotiating terms before even knowing if they have any kind of chemistry - in a biological way, his scientific mind supplies - but it's good. It's better to have things in order.

While he's not a massive fan of the first request, he gets it. And that will definitely help them keeping things quiet. The second is a given. ]

Okay. On both these things.

[ He doesn't even try to say he would never go after her or her family, for any reason - that's not what he does nor who he wants to be. But there's no point in having this conversation now. ]

I'd rather avoid any drama, anyway.

[mooned]

I don't really do drama. [ She just cuts herself off before drama can happen. And when drama comes at her, she just avoids it. At least when it comes to relationships with other people.]

And thank you for agreeing.

[physicus]

Good. Then we're on the same page.

[ It feels like they've said everything they had to say, at this point, no more words coming to him. He repeats the move from earlier, tilting her chin up with a single finger once he's close enough, thumb brushing her cheek. ]

Right? [ His voice is huskies than he expected it to be. ]

[mooned]

[ A weird tingly sort of feeling washes over her as he touches her, tilting her face up towards his. Her eyes stay on his as she nods, just enough to get the motion across but not enough to dislodge his fingers because suddenly her mouth is very dry and words feel like a stumbling block.

Usually, she's the one who makes people feel this way.] We are.

[physicus]

[ He may be cheating a tiny, tiny bit, the smallest amount of current in his fingers when he touches her at first, and he cuts it off quickly - he's not here to hurt her. He's never been one to use his powers to get reactions, and he's not going to start now. She looks up at him and he looks down at her, and nods when she answers, her lips staying parted. ]

Yeah. [ And then he's leaning in, kissing her, fitting his mouth against her gently - softly, a moment of discovery more than anything. ]

[mooned]

[ An understanding sealed with a kiss. Seems fitting considering what they are attempting to do here. It's different than any other thing she's had with a person. Usually it just happens but this doesn't feel any less organic to her.

His mouth fits to hers and she sort of... melts into it. She forgets her fingers are covered in charcoal when her hands move to rest on his chest, lightly.]

[physicus]

[ It's easy to fold her into his arms, to finally get to touch, hands sliding around her waist, into her hair as the kiss deepens. He's acutely aware that they're in a public place, but the art studios all tend to echo, and he's - he can't quite stop, now that he's here. ]