sonoftenebrae | College AU

Uh - [That's Gladio's eloquent response to Ravus' question as his mind completely blanks. Because hell yes he wants to date Ravus - who wouldn't?

But this is so far from how Gladio normally tries to show someone that he's interested in a relationship that he isn't sure saying "Yes" would actually win him any points or, best case, win him a chance to take Ravus on an actual date.

So he stands there, staring dumbly at the gorgeous alabaster masterpiece currently seated on his bed, and tries desperately to come up with a response.

Luckily, the snark he not-so-secretly enjoys returns and now Gladio has something he can actually respond to.]

You're pretty bossy for someone who had to sit down before he fell down. [His smile is as gentle as his teasing and Gladio decides to make sure Ravus re-hydrates properly.] Lemme grab you another glass first and then I'll get cleaned up.

[In the blink of an eye he disappears only to reappear just as suddenly with a second glass of water, which he sets on the nightstand as well.] This way you don't have to get up if you finish that one before I'm done in the shower.

[Maybe Gladio's still a little buzzed because nothing else can explain what he does next.

He leans down and presses his lips to Ravus' in a chaste kiss that barely lasts half a second before he pulls back, blushing wildly, and turns on his heel to dash into the bathroom.

Maybe the shower can wash the stupid out of him.]

You like being told what to do. [Ravus retorts, but he relaxes a little. The water is helping his head feel less fuzzy.

Gladio fetches him more water ~~still a good little tavern wench, even out of costume~~ and kisses him, and Ravus doesn't know what to think anymore.]

Fuck it. [He murmurs, and he kicks off his costume pants and tugs the clean borrowed pants on. Tomorrow morning-Ravus can deal with the rest of this.

He leans back into the pillows on the bed, meaning to only rest while Gladio is in the shower. So, of course, he ends up curled on his side, fast asleep by the time Gladio can finish.]

Edited 2019-01-08 07:20 (UTC)

[Though his shower should be cathartic, Gladio keeps berating himself for his actions. Disbelief that he actually kissed Ravus as if they were already a couple is only overshadowed by embarrassment at how desperate he must look.

Because yea, he wants to date his TA, but he isn't doing all of this post-sex stuff as a ruse or a ploy to lure the impossibly sensual man into his arms. Gladio really is just that type of lover - he's walked too-drunk one-night-stands home and gotten them water. It's part of being a good bed partner.

Admittedly the spare clothes and plate of snacks and fresh sheets are something he's only done for Ravus, but does that make him look like he's trying too hard?

Arg. He's overthinking and he knows it. And he's spent way too long yelling at himself under the blessedly hot spray of water. At least it's helped his muscles relax a little.

Vowing not to let himself be his own worst enemy for the remainder of the night, Gladio quickly washes his hair and body so as not to keep Ravus waiting too long (in case the other man does, in fact, want to sip some more wine). After exiting the shower in a puff of steam he towels himself dry and vigorously towel-dries his hair before combing the damp, dark locks.

With his sweatpants back on, Gladio walks back into his room only to blink in surprise at the sight of Ravus fast asleep on his bed. Then his eyes soften and he huffs out a soft chuckle, quietly moving to put the wine (which he fits with one of his reusable stoppers) and the snack plate (which gets covered nicely in saran wrap inside the fridge and placing the wine glasses and empty water glass in the sink. He continues his silent clean-up by re-filling Ravus' second water glass with fresh water and leaving both it and a small cup containing two Aspirin on the nightstand closest to him.

Gladio then changes out of his sweats and into more comfortable black boxer-briefs before chugging down a glass of water and taking two Aspirin himself.

Before long he's gently maneuvering the sleeping TA under the comforter and then sliding into the other side of the bed, congratulating himself on getting the king-sized mattress because this way his own fidgeting won't bother Ravus too much.

He hopes.

Once he's found a comfortable position that may involve lying on his side with an arm extended so his fingertips just barely rest on Ravus' hip, he whispers a goodnight to the hopefully still asleep TA and closes his eyes.

Exhaustion hits him like a freight train and he's out entirely in under five minutes, a contented smile on his face.]

(OOC: Wanna have Ravus wake up first? Your call on if Gladio winds up big-spooning Ravus in his sleep Lol)

[Gladio manages to stay mostly on his side of the bed during the night. Ravus, not so much. When he wakes up, he finds he migrated toward the warm body beside him during the night. Gladio's shoulder, hard and tattooed, had been his pillow just a moment ago.

He lets out a low hiss of air as the night comes flooding back to him. His head is not quite pounding, but there's a mild ache.

He should go. Leave a note, but be gone before Gladiolus wakes up.

The distance between the bed and the door to the master bedroom looks expansive. He lets his head fall back down into Gladio. Ravus would probably set off the alarm if he tried to sneak out anyways.]

Wake up. I need coffee and your phone.

[Getting ordered around by a hookup probably isn't Gladio's ideal method of being woken up, but then again, he didn't seem to mind it last night.]

[Gladio wakes up slowly, feeling a warm weight on his shoulder and hair brushing at his chin.

He's surprised that Ravus was the one cross the bed in the dead of the night but he's far from displeased. His brain supplies him with the idea to wrap twist a bit in order to lay an arm over Ravus but the grumpy TA speaks before Gladio can move and he finds himself chuckling as he slowly sits up.]

Y'ever turn off th' whole bossy thing? [His voice is husky with sleep, words slurring together as Gladio's brain wakes up to join his body. With a deep inhale, he swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands before stretching languidly and exhaling. His muscles burn pleasantly as he stretches and he groans as his joints pop and crack.]

Stay there an' take the Aspirin. [Gladio points to the nightstand, where the medicine and water sit.] I'll get started on coffee and breakfast. You allergic to anything?

[Since it doesn't matter to him that he's only in his underwear, Gladio waltzes into the kitchen and dons an apron as he sets about cooking breakfast, setting up the coffee maker before starting anything else.]

[Ravus, with a feline grace, flops down on the bed and takes up as much space as he can as he sprawls.]

Just coffee. You don't need to feed me.

[He stretches and reaches for the glass of water.]

And no. I thought you'd realized by now. There's no 'off switch'.

[If that's a deal-breaker, Gladio will have to deal with it after he gives Ravus his coffee.]

[He pretends not to hear the part about not feeding Ravus, and if asked he'll just say his head was in the fridge or something. Because that man is dreaming if he thinks he's leaving here without having breakfast.

In one pan apple-wood-smoked bacon sizzles as its scent fills the apartment, mingling deliciously with the aromas of freshly-brewed coffee. Another pan holds egg-whites that Gladio scrambles expertly after seasoning them with his signature combination of spices. And a third pan hosts slices of french toast, each cooked one at a time and then placed on a large plate and covered so that they stay warm.

He's not a world-class cook or anything but breakfast is definitely his specialty and he hopes Ravus at least tries to eat some of it. Putting a little bit of each on a plate, and making sure to grab the snack plate from last night, Gladio walks back into his bedroom and hands Ravus his breakfast.]

If you're eating in here that's fine, just let me know how you take your coffee so I don't mess it up. But if your headache is mellowing out feel free to join me at the table. I promise the chairs are much more comfortable than they look. [He smiles gently, plucking a piece of mango off the snack plate before setting it on the nightstand.]

At least give the food a try? I promise it's edible.

I'm neither an invalid nor a barbarian. [He grumbles as he slides out of bed and takes the proffered plate to the dining area. He's not going to eat breakfast in Gladio's bed.]

Straight Ebony, if you have it. Otherwise, I take it black.

[He ignores the bacon and eggs, but borrows some of the fruit from the snack plate to top his french toast. Of course, he then proceeds to pick the fruit off of the toast first. That's the way he eats everything.]

I asked for your phone earlier. Or your day planner will do, if you have one.

After last night I'd reconsider calling you a barbarian. [Gladio teases Ravus, his body still feeling the man's iron grip and baring its bruises.] Or are you always so rough with "the ladies"?

[It's only due to his friend's obsession with the stuff that he even has Ebony and Gladio makes a note on the fridge to pick more up as he grabs a can of it and sets it down in front of Ravus.] And there's nothing wrong with breakfast in bed, especially since you looked pretty bad by the end of things. Figured it might be comfier. But it's a good sign that you're up and being as snarky as ever.

[He refuses to let it get to him right now. Either Ravus hasn't had any good one night stands or he really isn't a morning person.

Or both.]

I have both. But I'm not giving you anything until you finish eating. Gotta have at least a little protein in the morning, plus grease is good for hangovers.

[Gladio, a nag? Apparently so.

His friends would ~~laugh~~ be so proud. The man sitting across from him might actually throw the plate at him.

Aren't mornings exciting?]

[Ravus gives Gladio a flat look, which is enhanced by the fact he hasn't had his coffee yet. Their roleplay was great last night, but he's not going to talk about it over breakfast.]

I'm fine. I may have been slightly dehydrated, and that has since been righted.

[He keeps picking at his french toast. He eats red meat on rare occasions, but usually not so early in the morning. He pops the tab on the Ebony and takes a long sip, saying nothing more. If it's a contest to see who is more stubborn, Ravus is confident. He's told Gladio what he wants, and as he is used to doing with his students, he waits.]

If you don't eat meat or whatever that's fine. Just say so and I'll eat your bacon for you. An' the scrambled eggs are just seasoned egg-whites so that's fewer calories if you're one of those calorie-counters.

[He just wants Ravus to take a bite of the eggs before they get too cold to be enjoyable. Does Ravus just not eat breakfast? Or does he not want to eat a breakfast that was made for him?

Whatever it is, Gladio wants Ravus to speak up about it because he's not a mind reader and is not overly fond of playing this kind of guessing game.

Luckily he's used to a bratty kid sister who didn't always want to eat what was on her plate and a grumpy Ravus is totally the same thing...]

Please? [Gladio gives his best pout and puppy eyes.] Just one bite of the eggs and I'll hand over my phone. Scout's honor.

[Ravus' eyes narrow.] What business is it of yours what I eat?

[The breakfast itself is fine, but Ravus didn't ask for it, and he chafes against anyone pushing him to do something he doesn't want to do. Gladio isn't his mother. Ravus can, and will, make his own astrals-damned decisions.

He had been working on the fruit and toast, but he pushes the whole plate Gladio's way.]

I'll take my coffee to go.

[He stands to head back to the bedroom to dress.]

[Shit.

Gladio knew his nervous nagging could be problematic but he doesn't want Ravus to leave because of it. He needs to fix this.

He rises from the table with a self-depreciating sigh, knowing that he needs to apologize and not knowing how to do so without sounding like even more of an ass. Or like more of an idiot. On the way back to his room he picks up his phone from where it charges in his office and he grabs his planner while he's there, figuring Ravus can use whichever he prefers.

Maybe that's the best way to go about this for now. Let Ravus take the lead and don't try to push him into anything, even something as simple as eating a balanced breakfast.]

Ravus, can I come in?

[Not only does Gladio ask if he can enter his own room, he also knocks gently on the doorframe.]

I have what you asked for. And I'd like a chance to apologize...

[Ravus doesn’t answer Gladio right away. The man can come into his own damn bedroom if he chooses. Ravus finishes pulling on his pants and tunic, leaving the borrow sleep pants folded on the bed.

He meets Gladio in the bedroom doorway and takes his phone.]

Shut up for a moment and just listen before I change my mind about this. [His fingers fly across the screen as he speaks, typing information into the phone.]

Hooking up with a student once while I was drunk at a party is not ideal, but ultimately forgivable. There can be no repeating it, however.

[He finishes his typing and shoves the phones Gladio’s apron-covered chest.]

December 15th is the due date for grades this year. Final grades go online at noon. After that time, I will no longer be your TA...provided you don’t sign up for another section of my class.

That evening, I will want to be wined, dined, and summarily fucked into the nearest mattress. If you haven’t done anything idiotic enough to merit me cancelling the calendar notification I just programmed into your phone, you’ll get a notice that day with my phone number in it.

[He looks straight into Gladio’s eyes.]Don’t you dare take a class I’m TAing again, and don’t make me regret this, Amicitia.

[Not wanting to upset Ravus again, Gladio does as instructed and snaps his mouth shut.

He keeps it shut even when he wants to sigh sadly at the thought of not hooking up again. And he keeps it shut when he wants to shout gladly as he deciphers the rest of Ravus' words. His hands clutch his phone as if it currently holds the most precious information in the world, which it pretty much does.

When their eyes lock his breath hitches and it takes him a moment to remember how to speak.]

I won't. [The words are a whispered promise, Gladio's voice hoarse with honesty and hope. He has a chance.]

Make sure you have your best suit ready on December 15th. And try to keep the 16th open too. [He can definitely fuck Ravus into his mattress, but before he'd gotten this new bed he would have been able to fuck Ravus through the bed. He plans to show off his prowess and that means Ravus might be both too sore and too tired to do much of anything the next day.

Gladio leans into Ravus' space as he whispers again.] Since this won't happen once you walk out of here, think I can steal a kiss?

[Their noses already brushing, he lets his lips ghost over Ravus' while waiting for the man to close the remaining micrometer of space between them.]

[Ravus watches the emotions shift on Gladio's face. He has to say, dazed awe of Ravus is a good look on him.]

I suppose I could be persuaded.

[Ravus isn't in the habit of random hookups, last night nonewithstanding, so this will likely need to tide him over until the end of the semester.]

One kiss, then I expect you to be on your best behavior until winter break.

[With a smirk, Gladio presses their lips together in a slow kiss. He moves his mouth sensually, alternating where he places pressure, and only teases at Ravus' lower lip with his tongue, never going any further than the scintillating dance of their lips sliding deliciously together.

He playfully scrapes his teeth against Ravus' lip as he pulls back, eyes glittering with arousal and anticipation.]

I'll see you in class, Ravus. [Gladio winks cheekily.] Don't forget your party favor. [He flicks his eyes towards the panties lying innocently on the nightstand.

After that, he wanders back to the kitchen and dining area and starts cleaning up. He'll wave when Ravus walks past to leave and will pause to handle the alarm system before going about his day with a million thoughts running through his head, most of them about Ravus.

And as much as he wants to send something to him that night he manages to wait almost a week before making his first move in Operation: Fluster Ravus.

Instead of sending him a flirtatious text or a suggestive photo, he decides to go a little bigger. It's an otherwise normal day in class and Gladio is on his absolute best behavior - he hasn't even leveled a heated glance in Ravus' direction once. After finishing the pop-quiz Professor Highwind sprung on them, he walks up to the TA's desk, where the finished quizzes are supposed to go, but accidentally drops both his pen and the exam.

And it just so happens that he needs to bed over to retrieve the items and, since they fell to one side, his ass winds up facing Ravus' desk. But that's no problem right? People bend over to grab things all the time, and Gladio's sure the TA has seen his fair share of clothed undergrad butts. Why should his be any different?

Even though he's wearing one of his shorter shirts, one that rides up all the time, and he forgot his belt this morning so his pants constantly dip lower than they should, there's no way Gladio could have known that as he bends over the lacy top of a pure-white pair of satin panties peaks out of his pants. Directly in front of Ravus.

But maybe he spends a bit longer bent over than necessary, and maybe he wiggles his ass a little bit as he stretches to get the wayward pen. Once he straightens, he smiles casually at the TA and places the quiz on his desk with only the barest hint of a blush and a quick wink.

Any punishment will be worth it, he thinks, to have possibly flustered his TA without giving anything away to anyone else.]

[When Gladio straightens back up, Ravus is glaring daggers at him. This is exactly why he shouldn't have gotten involved with someone taking his class. Distraction.

So much distraction.

He almost whips out his phone and deletes their date then and there.

...except that ass, that damned perfect ass.]

Clumsy. [He declares as Gladio passes him. It's going to be a long month if Gladio keeps this up.]

[Later that night, Gladio reminisces in the shower and decides to have some more fun. Ravus never said anything about photos after all.

So before he completely steps out of the shower, he grabs his phone from the sink's counter-top and snaps a fantastic selfie. Hell, he might post this one on his Instaframe.

The picture captures his body from his slightly curled lips down to the beginnings of his happy trail. Droplets of water bead on tanned skin and the ink of his tattoo draws the eye to his left pec, which only calls the eye to drop further and follow the water trails over his taut abdomen. Of course his 8-pack is perfectly defined, as if all of his training could leave an ounce of fat on him.

Deciding the picture is perfect, Gladio sends it to Ravus with a little message.]

Wishing you were here.

Edited 2019-01-16 05:31 (UTC)

[In his little dorm room, Gladio's flirting garners a different response from Ravus than his earlier flashing in class. Here, after hours, he can let himself respond.

And so he does. He lets himself drink in the sight of Gladio's wet body. Two can play at this game.

The response picture Gladio gets is a of Ravus' torso and the beginning of his waist, stretched out on his bed. The waistline of the red panties is just barely visible.]

I'll be wearing these to class one day. Not telling you which.

[After that response, which Gladio may or may not have transferred to his personal, double-encrypted laptop, he finds himself needing to release a little... tension.

A tension he finds himself suffering from after every following class with the TA. It's a good thing he can multitask because taking notes while trying to catch glimpses of Ravus' ass is no easy feat. Any time the man walks past or stretches up or bends over, Gladio fights the urge to lean forward in his seat.

The thought of Ravus wearing those panties haunts his dreams. And all too soon it's the week before finals and Gladio can no longer afford to stare unabashedly at his TA's ass. But his TA can likely afford to stare at Gladio.

So he begins wearing progressively tighter shirts and one day he shows up in nothing but a hoodie, which he unzips most of the way in the heated classroom.

And every night, without fail, he sends Ravus photos.

His personal favorite is the one he takes the night before his final in Ravus' class. It's a fairly spectacular almost-nude. He's wearing only a jockstrap, and nothing else. The elastic frames his glutes perfectly as he squats, quads and hamstrings straining and calves bulging while his back muscles ripple and glisten - he actually beat his own personal record that day by squatting 800 pounds. Which, of course, he includes in the message he sends that night.]

Making a new personal best just for you. 800 pounds.

[Ravus doesn't respond to the texts after the first night. It's a slippery slope, and he really is trying to uphold his duty as a TA.

On that final night, though, he does send a quick response.]

You should be resting up for tomorrow.

[Gladio doesn't have to know that Ravus is oogling the picture with a mixture of fascination and bafflement. How'd he even get a shot of himself at that angle? Damned magnificent musclebound bastard.]

[It's the morning of the final and Gladio is up early. Ravus' response only makes him smile and he decides to take one final chance.

He makes his way to the classroom with purposeful strides, a surprise tucked away in his bag, and he reviews his various study guides as he sits outside the room as he waits for it to open. Well, more like as he waits for Ravus to show up and unlock the door.

This time other students gather, likely eager to get in some last-minute cramming, so the surprise will have to be given subtly enough that no one else gets suspicious of its true nature.

And when Ravus arrives everyone begins shuffling out of the TA's way while simultaneously heading towards the door, which creates an actual sea of undergrads all hovering on the precipice of invading Ravus' personal space as they all wait to be first into the room. This is where Gladio's bulk comes in handy.

He deftly swoops into the space directly behind Ravus and plants himself firmly where he stands so that no one else can crowd around the TA.]

Figured I should try my hand at bribin' you for a better grade on this final. [There's a laugh in his voice and a smile on his face as he presses a can of Ebony into Ravus' free hand.]

Hope you like Ebony.

[Now the classmates closest to him are mixed parts chuckling and mourning not thinking of something similar. No one was any the wiser that Gladio already knew how Ravus enjoyed Ebony.

And only Ravus, Professor Highwind, and himself knew that he didn't need to bribe anyone for a better grade, though that didn't stop some finals nerves from setting in once he took his seat and the exam began.]

Caffeinating me won't make up for studying.

[Ravus is curt as he unlocks the door to let the panicking students in to the classroom. Damn it, Gladio. If he'd just handed Ravus the can, he might have been able to drink it, but making a stupid joke about bribery...and in front of other students...

Ravus sets the can on his desk, untouched, and sets to work unboxing the exam booklets.

Professor Highwind gives a few final words as the TAs begin to hand out the tests, and then it is a waiting game. In between walk-arounds to check for obvious signs of cheating, the professor leans over Ravus' desk, smirking.]

You know you're allowed to drink that, right?

[Ravus scowls at her.]

If you don't want it, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.

[Almost possessively, Ravus takes the can and pops the tab. He doesn't know how Highwind pinpoints the perfect target for teasing, but she always finds it, damn her. He takes a sip.]

Satisfied? Now excuse me, the idiots in the third row think they're being subtle with the notes written on their shoes.

[He stands and goes to pull the cheaters out of the room and write them up. Thus is the glamorous life of a TA.]

[Once testing begins, Gladio's face becomes one of absolute concentration. The world around him disappears and he has eyes only for the papers on his desk, his pencil scratching as he fills in his answer selections on the Scantron and his pen flying as he responds to the open-ended questions on the actual exam paper.

He barely notices when Ravus leaves his desk and confronts the people cheating two rows behind him. He can't afford distractions - his grade might be passing as it is but he refuses to give less than his best. Despite his focus Gladio feels his hand start cramping so he drops his pen and stretches, shaking his hand out and keeping his eyes shut so that he can't be accused of cheating.

The golden orbs open as he finishes his languid stretch, and he smiles upon noticing that the Ebony he'd gifted Ravus sits open on the man's desk.

With that boost he finds the energy to get back to work and makes his way through the remainder of the exam, not stopping to stretch again and not once asking for permission to get up to use the restroom. Once he finishes every question, he glances at the clock and realizes he has enough time to review all of his answers at least once. So he does.

When "time" is called, Gladio has reviewed his answers twice over and made a couple of revisions to his essays. He puts his pen and pencil down with an air of confidence - not arrogance - and he finally allows himself another stretch. This time he keeps his eyes open and focused on Ravus and maybe there's a slight sway to his hips when he starts walking up to hand the TA his completed exam and Scantron.]

Thanks for a great class! Your feedback on my papers really helped me look deeper into the literature. [His voice is completely normal, no teasing lilt or subtle undertone. It's as if Gladio truly feels that Ravus did a great job as a TA, which he absolutely does.

Without so much as a flirtatious wink he turns to the professor and pulls a wrapped gift out of his bag.] And to you, Professor Highwind, a thank-you gift for accepting my request. I look forward to working with you in the future.

[With a gentle smile and a jaunty wave, Gladio walks out of the lecture hall.

When Professor Highwind opens the gift, she'll find a perfectly aged and highly sought-after Altissian wine. After speaking to his father about wanting to pursue an advanced degree in Literature and mentioning how a certain professor implied some of his papers could make good dissertation topics, Gladio had received an overnight delivery of a case of the wine with a note to "gift them as he sees fit".

Hopefully Ravus won't be too jealous. Gladio plans to sweep him off his feet and he has far rarer and more elusive bottles of fine wine and champagne he'll spoil the Tenebraen with. He just needs to wait for the grades to be posted.]

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I promise we can move on after this <3 <3 <3 sowwy

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Please kill me for that terrible name (needed to be able to call it Insta)

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