Bernard was already slumped over his desk when Tim walked in. His curls were a little messy, his notebook open to a half-finished doodle of a bat with crooked wings. Tim brushed his fingers across Bernard’s shoulder as he passed, a silent hello, before taking the seat beside him.

Class hadn’t even started when it happened.

Two boys in front of them were whispering—loud enough that Bernard definitely heard, but soft enough they thought they were safe.

“Dude, he never knows what’s going on. Tim basically carries him,” one snickered.

“Seriously. If I had a genius boyfriend, I’d make him do all my work too.”

Tim didn’t react at first. He kept his eyes on his notebook, flipping to a fresh page, posture relaxed. But Bernard’s shoulders tightened. His pencil stilled. He didn’t turn around or say anything—he never did. He just quietly tried to disappear into his hoodie.

Tim subtly moved his chair closer until their knees touched.

Bernard didn’t look up, but Tim felt him breathe a little easier.

The teacher began the lesson, launching into a fast-paced explanation of last night’s reading. Tim’s pen moved effortlessly, capturing every point in crisp handwriting. Meanwhile, Bernard copied the title and then… stalled. His eyes flicked toward the front, unfocused, obviously lost two steps in.

The whispering boys looked back at them with smirks, like they were expecting a show.

Tim didn’t even spare them a glance.

Instead, he leaned toward Bernard, his voice low enough for only him to hear. “It’s okay. Check the bullet points—she’s just reviewing chapter six.”

Bernard blinked at the section Tim pointed to in his book. His expression softened at the clarity. “Oh,” he whispered. “Right.”

He started writing again, more relaxed.

The boys exchanged a look, clearly annoyed that Bernard hadn’t crashed and burned the way they wanted.

Tim had enough.

The teacher asked a difficult question—one nobody raised their hand for. Then another. Silence.

Tim lifted his hand casually, like it took no effort at all, and answered each question with clean precision. Dates, cause and effect, the teacher’s exact terminology—he nailed all of it. The kind of flawless answers that made the room go quiet.

The teacher smiled. “Excellent, Tim.”

A few students murmured, impressed. The boys in front shifted uncomfortably.