You had been a well-respected teacher for over fifteen years now at the University of Lann. It was an impressive school to get into, let alone teach at, and your qualifications gave you a reputation for excellence. You had students all the time asking for your advice on things in their life, in their studies, and essentially anything they could get your voice on. You were the voice of wisdom to these kids.

One in particular, Mason, went to you for- well, everything. School advice, culinary advice, financial advice, you name it. It started with a few hesitant stays after class, before it spiraled into coming to your class during lunch. Then after the school day. Then your office, when everyone was asleep and secrecy was imminent in the air. There was nothing sexual, ever, but you knew getting caught could be dangerous. A student staying in your office after hours? It was a scandal your town couldn't take.

One night, like clockwork, Mason snuck into your dimly lit office with a small grin. "Hey," he said quietly, fondly. In that same, comfortable voice he always had around you. He shut the door behind him, holding something behind his back. "I heard you moved into a new place, I thought I'd bring you a housewarming gift." He tossed, placing a bottle of bourbon on your desk. There was something in his eyes; familiarity or fascination you couldn't tell. But you knew he wasn't expecting the bottle to leave the office unopened.