Jason barely slept that night, the way Tobias had looked at him in that office unsettled him.
Jason rolled onto his back and groaned into his pillow. "Get a grip," he muttered to himself. Just a meaningless behavior right, Nothing more.
The next morning the campus was louder than usual. Jason immediately felt the atmosphere when he stepped into the hallway.
He saw Marcus from far rushing toward him. "Jason!"
Jason blinked. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
Marcus grabbed his arm and dragged him toward a quieter corner. "You need to see this."
Jason frowned. "See what?" Marcus pulled out his phone and shoved the screen in his face. When jason saw the image on the phone, his stomach dropped.
Someone had posted a blurry photo on the campus forum. It was still clear enough to show Jason entering Professor Menzies' office the night before.
The caption read: "Looks like the professor's favorite student is getting some dick in his ass"
Jason exhaled slowly. "Oh, come on."
Marcus looked furious. "Someone is definitely targeting you." Jason didn't need to guess who. Obviously it will be Emily Carter.
Marcus crossed his arms. "This is getting bad."
Jason shrugged. "what do you want me to do, it's just gossip."
Marcus stared at him. "Jason. People are already talking about you, perhaps the whole university know you. Like you are really popular now."
Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "Let them say what they want to, as long as they don't say it to my face.."
"…You're way too calm about this."
Jason smirked slightly. "Well, it's not like anything actually happened." Even as he said it, he remembered the way Tobias had stood so close.
And suddenly his nonchalance of the gossip felt a little less convincing. Jason dismissed whatever Marcus wanted to say. They both went for their major course.
When they entered the classroom, the tension was obvious. Each student were staring at him like he killed a person. One guy even snickered.
Marcus cursed under his breath. "I'm going to punch someone today."
Jason chuckled. "Relax, when you know something is not true."
Jason continued with his lecture, moving from one class to another. He ignores every look they gave him.
The last lecture he will be having happens to be professor Tobias.
Professor tobias was already in his class when jason entered. Jason noticed something different about his expression. His eyes were colder much colder than before.
Tobias placed his books on the desk and turned to the class. "I understand there is currently a rumor circulating. If any student believes gossip is more productive than study…"
His voice dropped to a ice level state. "They are free to leave my course." Tobias continued. "This classroom is for academic discussion.Not for some childish imagination and speculation."
Several students looked embarrassed. Jason tried not to smile, as professor Tobias looked more daring when he is angry.
Tobias had just shut down the entire rumor in less than thirty seconds. Emily sitting at the front row, clenched her jaw
After class ended, the stares on Jason seems to have reduced. Jason walked into the hallway with Marcus.
"Well," Marcus said. "Your professor just publicly destroyed half the class." Jason shrugged. "He was just stating facts."
Marcus smirked. "Yeah, but the way he looked at you…"
Jason stopped walking. "…What about it?"
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Never mind."
Jason narrowed his eyes. "You're imagining things."
Marcus grinned. "Am I? We will see later bye"
That evening, rain poured heavily over the campus. Jason ran across the courtyard, pulling his jacket over his head. "Great," he muttered.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. Most students had already gone back to their dorms. But Jason still needed to drop off one of his assignment.
He hurried into the faculty building, the hallway lights flickering non stop.
Jason walked toward the office door and knocked.
"Come in." Jason stepped inside. Tobias was standing beside his desk reviewing papers again.
Jason placed the assignment on the desk. "Thought I'd submit this before tomorrow." Tobias nodded slightly.
"Thank you." Jason glanced toward the window.
Rain hammered against the glass. "Looks like I'm stuck here for a while." Tobias followed his gaze. "Yeah."
Jason leaned against the bookshelf. "You handled they pretty well today." Tobias didn't look up from the paper he was holding. "Rumors are irrelevant."
Jason chuckled. "Tell that to the entire campus."
Tobias finally looked at him. "And you?"
Jason shrugged. "I don't care."
"Are you certain?"
Jason met his gaze. "Yes."
For a moment neither of them spoke. Then Tobias said in a low voice, "You should be more cautious."
Jason frowned slightly. "About what?"
Tobias stepped stood up from his chair and step closer to Jason. "People will try to use this against you."
Jason tilted his head. "Why?"
Tobias held his gaze. "what if it's true"
Jason laughed softly. "That's not a possible"
Tobias didn't respond. Instead he stepped closer again.
Now they were standing much nearer than before. The way Tobias was looking at him sent heat down his neck. "Professor," Jason said lightly, trying to break the tension.
"Yes?"
Jason smirked. "If people saw this right now, the rumors would get way worse."
Tobias didn't move. "That would not concern me."
Jason blinked. "…It wouldn't?"
Tobias's voice was getting deeper. "No."
Jason felt his heart beating faster. "You're unbelievable."
Tobias replied him, "You are the one who keeps coming here."
Jason froze. "…What's that supposed to mean?"
Tobias's gaze softened, "I don't know, you should ask yourself".
Jason swallowed. "And what about you?"
Tobias didn't answer him, he reached out and l gently caught Jason's waist. The touch was firm but not forceful.
Jason's breath hitched slightly. "Tobias—"
But before he could finish the sentence, Tobias leaned forward and kissed him. A slow passionate kiss.
Jason's mind went completely blank. For a moment he forgot how to breathe. He wanted to push Tobias, to free himself from the grip. But his senses failed him, he melted into Tobias grip.
After sometime, Tobias pulled back. Jason stared at him in shock, his heart was racing wildly from what just happened. "You…" He couldn't finish the sentence.
Tobias looked just as calm as before staring into his eyes. "I just made the rumors true".
"Why wo...would you.." Jason stammered.
"I don't know, maybe your eyes".
Jason freed himself from Tobias grip and ran out of the office. He reached the end of the hallway to catch him breath.
Jason realized something strange, he wasn't angry. Not even a little.