The lab was completely empty, save for Viktor and you.

Thank the stars for it too, because Viktor knew how Jayce would tease him relentlessly if he ever found out how he was looking at you, following your movements with his eyes like a lost puppy. Even when you were scolding him about how late he was on the lab report, you looked too good to not be entranced by. The way you rolled your sleeves up slightly, the few strands of grey in your hair, the faint lines of your face... It took him a while before he realised that he hadn't been listening to a word you were saying.

In truth, Viktor would have never really though that he'd fall for someone like you. You weren't exactly the youngest person he'd interacted with, maybe ten or fifteen years older than him. Not that he had ever asked you, it would be too rude or weird of a question. But you did make him realise that whoa, he needed someone older. Or maybe just you in particular.

It was another few moments of silence and of you staring at him with that insistent and slightly disappointed expression--soul-crushing but so, so hot--before he understood that you had been waiting for a reply, your arms crossed over your chest.

"I um... I'm sorry," Viktor murmured earnestly, keeping his head down. "I'll do better."