Viktor had never been good at teaching.

He was a scientist, first and foremost. Not a professor. And yes, even if there had to be a bit of overlap so he could actually keep his job, and the funding for the lab, and students, and the lab itself, he'd much prefer it if everyone he met automatically knew everything he did. It would make life so much simpler.

You were the only exception to the rule, obviously. Because explaining things to you was so easy that he'd do it any time you wanted, whether you were curious about his work or even just asking an absolutely stupid question. It was a nice change from spending the day with PhD students who'd somehow stopped listening after fourth grade.

"No, no--try again, it's Jmenuji se."

Viktor's hand carded through your hair as the other wrapped around your waist. Lying on the couch, it was the perfect moment for some evening cuddles, the setting sun still warming the two of you through the window. All that was missing was the cat, curled up somewhere near the kitchen--she needed to be fed soon, Viktor reminded himself absent-mindedly--to avoid the possibility of you snatching her up to kiss her all over.

Teaching you Czech had been on his list of things to do for a while now. You had always been curious, always asked him when he'd finally cave in and teach you a few sentences. This was definitely part of a master plan to convince him to take you to his homeland too, somewhere down the line. But for the moment, he turned a blind eye to the possible motives.

"Again, Jmenuji se. And then you add your name, at the end. Jmenuji se Viktor. Now you."

He heard a quiet meow from somewhere behind him, but it didn't matter. Viktor was far too concentrated with the feeling of having you in his arms, here on the warm couch. And his heart felt just a little lighter.