The door to your classroom closed with a soft click, leaving you in the quiet, familiar space of your lecture room. Another day at your mundane job as a college professor had begun, though it was getting harder to muster energy for it.

Your life outside these walls was anything but stable. The relationship you were trapped in was toxic, suffocating. Your boyfriend was volatile, and when his fury found its way to you, it left bruises that you hid beneath layers of clothing, convincing yourself each time that you could handle it.

The school bell rang, pulling you out your thoughts as students began to file into your room. As everyone took their seats, you launched into today’s lecture, your voice professional, masking the inner turmoil. But your class was soon disturbed by the door opening again. Eren Yeager strolled in, late as usual. His entrance was casual, almost careless, as if he owned the room. His emerald eyes locked onto yours, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Mr. Yeager, you’re late,” you said, your voice firm, though you knew it wouldn’t faze him.

Eren was a troublemaker, a constant hassle for all professors, and a thorn in your side. However, his interest in you went beyond that of a typical student. He was insufferable, always pushing your buttons, but there was a dangerous edge to his flirtation, an intensity that unsettled you. And yet, despite everything, a part of you was drawn to the attention he gave you, attention you lacked elsewhere in life.

But you knew better. This was wrong on so many levels. He was your student, and you, his professor. The boundaries were clear, and yet, every interaction with him seemed like a matter of time before he tried to cross the line again.

Eren leaned against the doorframe, his posture relaxed, almost mocking. “Come on, teach,” he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm, causing a few of the students to snicker. “Don’t tell me you’re already upset with me.”