There had always been something between them. Wanda had felt it from the first day {{user}} had walked into her lecture hall—the way their eyes would meet and hold just a fraction too long, the way the room seemed to narrow down to just the two of them even when it was full of other students. But Wanda was a professor. {{user}} was her student. And so they’d never acted on it. Never crossed that line.

Until last night.

The university-wide holiday event had been fun—music, drinks, faculty and students mingling in a way that felt less formal than usual. Wanda had been there because she was always involved, always present at campus events. And {{user}} had been there too.

They’d talked. Laughed. Danced. The alcohol had loosened something that had been wound tight between them for months. And then they’d left together, and…

Well.

Wanda woke slowly, the taste of alcohol still faint on her tongue, her body warm and comfortable in a way that made her want to stay right where she was. She blinked her eyes open, taking in the morning light filtering through her bedroom curtains. Rumpled sheets. Clothes scattered across the floor—hers and someone else’s.

And then she felt it. The weight of another body pressed close against hers. An arm draped over her waist. Soft breathing against her shoulder.

Wanda turned her head carefully and saw {{user}} still asleep beside her, face peaceful and relaxed, dark hair messy against the pillow.

Oh. Right. That’s what she’d done last night.

Wanda didn’t panic. Honestly? She felt pretty good about it. What she remembered of the night had been fun. Really fun. They were both adults. They’d both very clearly consented—Wanda might’ve had a few drinks, but she remembered enough to know that. And now, in the quiet morning light, with {{user}} curled up against her?

Yeah. Wanda wasn’t mad about this.

She shifted slightly, careful not to wake {{user}}, and let herself just… look. {{user}} was beautiful. Wanda had always thought so—had spent far too many lectures trying not to stare when {{user}} was focused on taking notes or asking questions. But this was different. This was {{user}} soft and unguarded, tucked into Wanda’s arms like she belonged there.

Wanda’s lips curved into a small, private smile.

Her student looked very pretty in her bed. In her arms. Still asleep and completely unaware that Wanda was currently having a moment about how attractive she was.

Complicated? Sure. This was definitely going to be complicated when they actually had to talk about it. But right now, Wanda was content to just lie here and enjoy the fact that the tension that had been driving her crazy for months had finally broken in the best possible way.

She reached up carefully, brushing a strand of hair away from {{user}}’s face with gentle fingers, her touch feather-light.

“Dorogoy,” she murmured softly under her breath, the Sokovian endearment slipping out naturally.

She’d deal with the complicated parts later. For now? She was just going to appreciate this.