"Good morning, Professor Collins."
Victor offered her a smile as she passed. To which he, obviously, got no response.
"Sheesh. Looks like the honeybee is on a hunt today," he said, voice a little louder than intended.
She stopped in her tracks. Students in the hallway bit back laughter.
"Do I need to make your foot fetish obvious again, Mentoes?"
He went bright red. "I do not-"
"Maybe you should focus more on tuning your violins and stop poking where you shouldn't."
Nathaniel's brow twitched as he put a hand to his chest, "My, I'm offended. Do you think I do nothing all day except tune violins, Bee?"
"Quite so, Minty."
"Oh, I could do this all day, Pollinator."
"Apologies, but I have better things to do, Ment."
"Such as? Proving Newton wrong?"
"At least I don't teach about sound waves telling a story on Greek mythology."
Someone snickered, but caught themselves. And that was the cue for everyone to burst into tears of joy.
Collins shook her head, deciding she had better things to do, and turned to walk in the opposite direction.
Her class was right down the Hall, but she would rather go the long route instead of engaging in any more conversation with the man that blocked her path.
After all, she was going to marry him.
. . .
"Wonderful!" Aurelia clapped her hands together, her eyes glinting. Her son's face was unreadable.
Nicholas laughed, "Means we can start the wedding preparations soon."
"Right," Aurelia grinned, glancing at Beatrice. She was sitting beside her mother, properly dressed up like a decent lady and not a college lecturer.
The way she should, and the way she will be doing regularly.
"We can start by setting a date, don't you agree?"
Nathaniel blinked, "Hold on, that's a bit too-"
"Sounds perfect!" The blonde cut off her son, still smiling.
He stiffened, and decided to just watch quietly.
Glancing around the table, he caught a glimpse of his bride to-be.
She had noticed.
"I believe sooner is better," Nicholas said, pressing his wife's hand, "Right, Chelsea?"
She nodded, a smile on her face, "Of course, it's just as he says."
"So… September?"
The man's lips curled, "I was thinking August, but September is fine too."
She laughed, "Oh my, what's the rush?"
"Just as I mentioned, sooner is better."
"Alright then. August it is."
The brunette almost spat out her wine.
Next month?!
This man had lost his marbles.
"Please excuse me." She got up from the table. Nicholas watched with a questioning brow, and Aurelia examined her every movement as she walked out of the Dining Hall.
. . .
Beatrice clutched her chest, trying to force her lungs to breathe.
The world felt heavy. Crushing.
For a moment, she stood on the balcony, trying to feel her fingers again.
When her breathing finally calmed a bit, she turned around and leaned with her back against the railing, staring at the stars.
She was reminded of how much she loved stars as a kid. Always wanting to get near them, to feel the warmth from up close.
She even majored in Physics to accomplish that dream. But she never got the opportunity to complete her Astronomy degree, and was forced to specialize in Acoustics to compensate.
Compensation, not for a few wasted months. But for the dreams she crushed. For the wings she herself ripped out.
After all, she wasn't eight anymore.
"You okay?"
She flinched, and straightened immediately. Nathaniel was standing in the doorway, his brow burrowed.
"I'm fine." she turned her back towards him.
He joined her, resting his elbows on the railing.
"You know… I hate it when people lie to me."
"I have no obligation to tell you the truth either." she replied calmly.
He hummed, then stared at the bushes in the distance.
He seemed to enjoy the scent of roses. She found it cloying.
"Why are you here?"
"I can ask you the same thing, Bee."
"One more word, and I throw you off the balcony."
He chuckled softly, "So fierce. You think it's that easy?"
She rolled her eyes. Why was he so insufferable?
He went quiet for a moment, contemplating to voice his thoughts, when he eventually caved.
"Why…did you accept? I thought you didn't like me."
"I don't. You're infuriating." she clipped back.
"Then…?"
She didn't respond instantly. Instead, she fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist.
Her voice was lower than usual when she finally replied.
"Out of obligation, and necessity."
"And… may I ask what the obligation or necessity was?"
"... My mother. Being used as bait."
He froze. He knew that feeling too well.
"Ah…"
At that moment, they weren't professors balancing academic and personal life, juggling students and a terrible sleep schedule.
For a moment, there were no titles between them.
Out of nowhere, he spoke again.
"Marry me," he said quietly. "And I can get you out of this."
Her eyes widened as they met his.
Bright amber, like sunlight after a heavy downpour. As if they were defying the gloom of rain itself.
"And why…should I trust you?"
"Who else can you trust if not me?"
She hesitated. Sure enough, she had nobody to rely on. No friends, and no dependable relatives. Her family needed help as is.
Her lips stretched into a thin line, "Doesn't mean I go around trusting random strangers."
"Random strangers? I have known you for half a decade. You call that strangers?"
"Knowing someone and being familiar with them are two different things, Mentoes."
He gave her a look, "And the difference is?"
Her eye twitched. Why was she talking to this guy again?
"Never mind. Forget it."
Nathaniel shrugged, "As you wish, m'Lady."
He turned to leave, but paused at the doorway.
"A little advice, if you keep telling yourself you have no choice," he said softly, "you'll hate every outcome."
The woman froze.
"Instead, make yourself feel like this was one of the options, and you chose it yourself. To protect those you love or whatever heroic reason."
The door shut after him, leaving Beatrice all alone, her mind blank and eyes wide.
"...What?"