Chapter Text
So you got the job. You had been wanting to be a teacher’s assistant, a TA, for the entirety of your college experience.. Now that you were in graduate studies, it finally opened up a spot. And you jumped at it.
You just, didn’t make sure of which History professor you would be the TA for.
-
You walked into Professor Laufeyson’s class fifteen minutes before it started. Bag over your shoulder and dressed smartly, you wanted to impress your new boss.
Professor Laufeyson looked up from his desk as you entered the classroom. Unsurprisingly, there were no students here yet. Even for an advanced History course, no one wanted to be that early.
“I see you can tell my room is empty thus far.” Professor Laufeyson commented mildly.
You held your bag to your side and tried to calm yourself. “Y-yes.” You stammered.
Everything you had read about Professor Laufeyson and heard led you to believe he was one of the more intimidating professors. Cool and collected, and wickedly smart.
The professor put his fingers together, steepling them as he looked over at you. “My class begins in forty-five minutes, but I wanted to make sure you were on time so we could discuss things.”
You felt your cheeks heat up, annoyed. “You could have told me the actual time and I would have been there. Professor.” You added quickly.
Professor Laufeyson smirked. “Loki is fine, when there’s no students around.”
You swallowed hard. “Right, yes.” Looking around at the large lecture hall, seats empty, you felt intimidated. You crossed the room and stood in front of his desk staring down at him. Even seated you could tell how tall he was. Though his smart suit did little to tell you about his physique.
Why were you wondering that?
Your gaze flickered over his sharp nose and jaw, high forehead, dangerously sharp cheekbones, and long raven-black hair.
No one had warned you he was hot.
You straightened your face. “I have my laptop with me so I can take any notes you need.”
Loki nodded. “Good, punctual and prepared. What I expect in a TA.”
You looked around. There hadn’t been any particular professor you signed up for, but the fact that you were placed with Loki said he wanted one. But why did he pick you? You felt horribly unqualified at this moment.
Loki stared at you intensely, you wanted to avert your eyes but you held his gaze, back straight.
“You will do any errands I need during class, copies, monitors, whatever I need. Yes?”
“Of course.”
He nodded curtly. “And you will assist me in my office as needed. You do know where it’s located, yes?”
You blanked.
Loki smiled thinly, noting your desperate expression. “It’s on the third floor of this building, I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.”
You nodded, “Yes, right, of course.”
“Now this is far from a blow off job as I imagine some TA’s expect, if I need you to fill in for me, you will be able to, yes?”
“If you give me the lesson plan, I’m sure I can manage.” You tried to look confident.
“Excellent.” Loki gestured towards his side where a chair and small table had been placed. “You may sit there.”
You nodded and walked over, setting your bag on the table and stealing a look at him.
Professor Laufeyson had impeccable posture. His head was tilted down only slightly as he looked over his papers. “It’s strange actually having a TA.” He commented mildly. “Almost a month into the semester and you’re just now starting?”
You took out your laptop and set it up, angling it away from the professor. “It took a while to get vetted for the job. Plus there weren’t a lot of openings in my field and then someone seemed to remember you had requested one.”
“Yes.” Loki stood up. He seemed to grimace as he reached his full height, long limbs and now you could see that his clothes hugged him tightly beneath thick muscle.
Your mouth went dry and you looked quickly at your laptop. Opening a blank document, you prepared yourself for whatever was in store.
Loki walked over to the whiteboard and began writing important dates in European history. “I figure to celebrate the occasion, I would have a pop quiz.”
You grimaced. “Oh, that’s cruel.”
Loki snapped his neck around to look at you. His expression unreadable.
You swallowed hard. “I’m sure you remember how awful those were in college.”
The professor nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, but it keeps the students from growing complacent and thinking this is a blow off class.”
“Upper level classes are hardly ever blow off classes.”
“Oh?”
“I take a few.”
“And you don’t blow any of them off?”
You shook your head.
“Not even for socializing? Or when a party has gone too late?”
“I don’t party on Sundays, if I party, and I do my best to make sure my work is done before any fun times.”
Loki smirked. “Good, a studious TA.”
You smiled back awkwardly.
“You did come highly recommended. I didn’t think I would be so lucky.”
You turned your laptop to face him. “I have the syllabus saved and was making sure to study the books you had planned. I had a different professor when I took this class so I wanted to make sure I was ready for whatever you did.”
Like tilted his head. “And prepared.” There was a pause between the two of you before Loki started listing dates at you.
You winced, thinking back on the class you had taken. It had been really boring and you hated your professor. But thankfully, you were able to recall what each date represented in History, or the major ones. Multiple things were happening in the same year all the time and Professor Laufeyson seemed amused every time you named an important moment that he wasn’t looking for.
“Good, you’ll do well. I daresay you might even pass this pop quiz.”
You let out a pent up breath. “That’s good.”
Loki walked back to his desk and sat down, opening his own laptop and cursing softly.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s this damned contraption.” Loki pointed at it irritably.
Looking far braver than you felt, you moved over to look from behind him.
You were intimately aware of how close you stood to him, how if he moved his shoulder just slightly he would brush against your breasts. Your breath could mingle with his as you were so close and if he turned, you would be inches from his face. Even your hair felt dangerously close to falling on him.
“Oh look, you just haven’t installed the latest software.” You pointed at the button at the bottom of the screen. You were no computer whiz but you knew some things.
Loki scowled darkly. “And how do I do that?”
“Here.” You leaned forward, reaching past him, brushing against the professor accidentally. Inwardly you fought back your squeak and breath growing faster. What type of cologne did he use? Like you were going to ask that. You just knew the scent overwhelmed you in all the right ways.
Taking the mouse he had connected to his laptop, you slid it to the right file location and found the updater. “See, right there?”
Professor Laufeyson blinked. “What have I done before a TA?”
You laughed, quickly pulling back. “I’m not great at computers, but I know some stuff.”
“Good, you’ll be able to help me with the other technology of this classroom.”
“Uh sure.” There was an overhead projector pointing down at the white board, hanging from the ceiling and you figured it had been much time since it had been used.
Loki followed your gaze. “Yes. That damned thing is always giving me trouble.”
“I’ll see if I can get a guide on how to use it and see if we can’t get it connected to your laptop.”
“I would like that.”
You glanced up as the door to the classroom opened and the first students began trickling in. “I’ll uh, go check with IT. I’m sure they’ll have something. Let me make a call.”
“In the hallway, I do detest phones in my classroom.”
“Oh definitely, I wouldn’t dream of having my phone out here.”
Loki looked pleased.
“I can leave my stuff here, right?”
“You are as welcome to this classroom as I am.”
You grinned. “Great.” Pulling out your phone, you made your way to the door where more students were milling about. Class started in fifteen minutes and it seemed no one was keen to be late.
Out in the hallway, you dialed IT and got them to email you instructions on the projector.
“Wonder who that is?” Someone commented as they walked past you to the classroom.
“Dunno. New student?”
“You don’t even know half the students in the class, maybe she’s just been on the other side of the room.”
“Wonder if I can get her number…” The guy trailed off.
You looked over your shoulder as you slowly hung up your phone. Then you joined the throng of students entering the classroom.
Crossing the room, you arrived at Loki’s desk. He was sitting on the end, leaning against it with his arms crossed as he watched his students enter.
“They’ll send me an email soon.” You said, putting the phone back in your pocket.
Professor Laufeyson nodded. He gestured towards your seat and you took it, reopening your laptop and preparing to begin whatever notes he would want.
You thought about leading study groups, assisting students with help when Professor Laufeyson was busy with his work and how you might even have to write work for them to do. Oh yes, you’d be paying close attention in this class.
“Fire codes say I can’t lock students out anymore, as that would be locking students in. But I do have a sign to make it clear that I don’t accept late arrivals.” Loki nodded his head curtly.
You stood up and hurried over to the door to flip it around. “Don’t bother.” It read. You winced thinking about missing this class or being late and listening at the door.
“Shit, she’s the TA?” One of the students muttered.
“So much for getting her number.”
“I can still try.”
You rolled your eyes inwardly and returned to your seat.
And then the lecture began.
Professor Laufeyson’s discussion on the major historical events of world history was captivating. He brought life to the stories, explaining in detail different events and often speaking off the textbook.
You scrabbled to type everything as he said it. Catching important points and writing it down. It was a good skill you had gained to know how to take notes, it would serve you well in this job.
He seemed almost intimately aware with certain major historical events, turning points and mysteries that changed the course of time. Even the sleepiest student seemed fairly interested in what he had to say.
And then abruptly, class was over. You blinked, looking up at Professor Laufeyson as he walked over to his desk and leaned down to look at his computer.
His voice was mesmerizing. How a whole hour had managed to come and go was beyond you, it felt like you had barely sat down. And yet, you glanced at your computer’s time, class was indeed finished.
“Did you get everything?” He asked, looking over his shoulder at you.
“I’m pretty sure I did.” You turned your computer at the long list of notes you had taken.
“Impressive.”
“I’m a fast typer.”
“I normally get a coffee after class before I have to study. Would you care to join me?”
You blinked before standing and shoving your laptop into your bag. “Sure.”
“Charming.” Loki had his own bag that he delicately placed his laptop in, protected by sheets and sheets of homework.
The two of you walked in silence, towards the campus coffee shop, the one not many people frequented because there was a strong chance of running into a professor. Apparently, professors and upperclassmen just had the same taste in coffee.
Each of you waited in line patiently, ordering your drink and then stepped to the side while you waited.
“So what did you think?” Professor Laufeyson asked.
“That was incredible.” You shook your head amazed. “I wish I had had you as a professor instead of Rizby.”
Loki pursed his lips. “Yes, Mr. Rizby and I don’t see eye to eye on teaching methods. I have always felt it was better to engage the students than simply regurgitate information at them.”
You nodded. “It really shows. You’re so passionate about your subject.” Snapping your mouth shut, you realized you were gushing a little bit too much.
Luckily you were saved by the coffees being called and the two of you made your way to a table in the corner. It gave a good vantage point of the room without being immediately noticeable from the entryway.
“So then, tell me about yourself.” Loki took a sip of his coffee.
You held your coffee between your hands nervously. “My degree is in history. I’m an instate student, thankfully for the cost. I have a few academic scholarships that helped me afford the school.” You rambled on, talking about your home life, your classes, everything you could think of about yourself.
Loki was an excellent listener, prompting you at just the right moments, encouraging you to expand on different subjects and just generally staring at you intently.
“What about you?”
Loki blinked and leaned back. “Me?”
“Well sure, I just rambled on about my life. You have to share, it’s only fair.”
Loki smirked. “Life isn’t fair, my dear.”
You couldn’t place it, or rather you refused to, but the pet term made you want to squirm in your seat. “Oh come on, surely you can tell me something?”
“I have a brother.” Loki conceded.
“What’s he like?”
Loki’s eyes flashed. Was that jealousy? “Fantastic in every way.” He finally replied, smiling thinly.
You realized this was dangerous waters and quickly prompted him about the lecture.
The look in his eyes faded and suddenly he was alight again, expanding on the dates and events that he had not had the time to in class.
Before you knew it, you had long finished your coffee, and dozens of people had come and gone to the shop while the two of you talked.
Professor Laufeyson glanced down at his watch and blinked. “Oh, I see we talked a bit longer than I intended.”
You glanced outside and saw it was getting darker, then checked your phone. How had three hours passed?
“I don’t want you grading papers outside of my office, I don’t want to risk anything happening to them and having a student claim righteously that it was an error on my end.”
You nodded quickly. “Sure, totally.”
“Good. Well that was a nice chat. I do believe I have some work to get to.” Loki stood up and bowed his head before turning away.
“Wait, I could help. I have most of my classwork done and I am your TA.”
Loki raised his eyebrow. “Most?”
“Just an essay, but it’s really light. Not like it’s my thesis or anything.”
“Well then. I would be pleased to have you.”
Once again, you and Professor Laufeyson were braving the growing fall weather and crossing the campus. The sun was low in the sky and its warmth had faded fast.
The two of you climbed the stairs to his office, chatting amicably about the lesson and things you thought he had done well on. Loki seemed to glow under your praise and you filed that away for future reference.
And then you were in his office.
It was a decent sized room in one of the older buildings, so it had a fireplace. Only you could tell it was electric now and just being used for show.
There were shelves and shelves of books, each of them thoroughly loved but placed with pristine care in order. Loki walked over to his desk and set his bag down, pulling out the stack of papers.
“Allow me to show you what to look for and then I will see how you do.”
Again you found yourself standing behind Professor Laufeyson and leaning over his shoulder.
The professor went through the essay, ticking red marks and making notes of errors. He was meticulous in his grading. Perusing each essay thoroughly, despite his fast reading.
“Here. I want to see what you do.” Loki stood up and gestured for you to sit at his desk.
You felt heady with the cologne permeating the air. It wasn’t strong or toxic, it just smelled really, really good. Forcing yourself back to your senses, you followed his instructions and sank into the chair. It was large and comfortable and you liked how you were further enveloped. Professor Laufeyson’s blazer hung on the back of the chair and you could practically imagine it on your shoulders.
Focus.
You looked down at the paper and began reading slowly but at a steady pace. You didn’t want to miss anything but you didn’t want to annoy him with being too slow.
Each error you pointed out, you glanced up at the professor. He inclined his head and smiled, noting that you had been correct.
“I expect you to read ahead on my class so you know what is to come and can be as prepared as possible. If I am otherwise indisposed, I’ll have you answering questions.”
“Indisposed?”
“I travel somewhat frequently. Symposiums, lectures, guest speaking, it’s very busy. I will need you to fill in for me.”
“Oh definitely.”
He nodded curtly. “Very good. And you did well on this paper. I believe I trust you to take this section and continue. Please feel free to ask me questions if you have any doubt as to whether they are correct or not.”
You smiled. “Absolutely.”
There was a desk off to the side with a far plainer chair and plainer desk too. Professor Laufeyson indicated for you to sit there and the two of you began grading in silence.
It was fully dark by the time you finished, leaning back in your chair and stretching with a yawn.
“Am I boring you? Or are my students?”
“No, most of them were pretty good. And you’re hardly boring…” You trailed off, snapping your mouth shut.
Loki raised his eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking up ever so slightly.
You hurriedly looked back at the papers. “No, I just need to get my own work done.”
“You’re welcome to work in here if you need the silence. I know how obnoxious the library can be.”
You thought of the couples making out amongst the shelves. “Yea… the library isn’t always the best.” Bending down, you pulled out your laptop and set it on the table and glanced back at him. “Are you sure, you don’t mind me finishing my work here?”
“Of course, please do so. I wouldn’t want your academic studies hurting because of your new job.”
There was companionable silence between the two of you as you got lost in your work and before you really knew it, Professor Laufeyson was standing over your shoulder and looking down at your writing. His hair tickled your neck. You fought back a shy giggle.
“You’ll want to change that part.” He muttered, pointing to a paragraph.
You sighed. “Yea, it’s a first draft. Can I come to you for advice on papers?”
“Of course, I am a professor.”
“Great.” You looked out the office window and saw how dark it was. Cursing softly you began shoving your things back in your bag.
“What’s wrong?” Professor Laufeyson asked as he had sat back down in his chair.
“It’s super late. I didn’t mean to stay here this long. I have to walk a ways to get back to my apartment.”
Loki’s expression darkened. “Of course. I will walk you back. Wretched vermin praying on beau-pleasant women.” He seemed to have wanted to say beautiful but switched to pleasant at the last second. Or at least that’s what your brain told you. You couldn’t be sure.
You dodged the compliment. “It is what it is.”
“Let me finish wrapping up my things and we can go.”
Within fifteen minutes, the two of you were walking down the stairs once more and out across the campus. Brisk air filled you with life, your cheeks chilly from its biting touch. But the stars overhead twinkled and the moon hung low in the sky.
“It’s so peaceful.” You commented mildly.
“It rather is. I enjoy the night.”
You nudged him, forgetting for a second who you were speaking to. “Gotta get home to the lady, eh?” You snapped your mouth shut as soon as it was out of your mouth.
Loki glanced at you silently.
Your gaze flickered down to his left hand and you saw no ring. “You’re not married?” You asked the obvious.
Loki was silent for a moment. “…No.”
“Oh, well there’s someone waiting for you anyways I’m sure.”
“Is someone waiting for you, my dear?” He dodged the question.
You ducked your head. “No. Uh, not really, no.”
Professor Laufeyson nodded absently.
Silence fell between the two of you. For the first time, there was a tension in the air.
In the distance, you saw your apartment and let out a sigh of relief. How had you asked your professor about his romance life? Well, he wasn’t your professor, he was your boss. Still though.
The two of you reached the door to the apartment building and stopped under the light.
You reached for your keys and Loki looked down at you, with a hint of protectiveness on his face.
“Almost couldn’t find them. Thought I had left them in your office.” You laughed nervously as you took the keys out.
Professor Laufeyson smiled thinly. “Quite. It would be a shame to be locked out of your home at such a time.”
“I’m sure I could manage something.”
“A friend’s apartment?”
“Most of my friends are on the opposite side of campus. I don’t know how I got stuck out here in this nowhere apartment but, whatever.”
Loki looked down at you sternly. “I wouldn’t leave you alone here.”
You grinned, opening the door to the apartment building. “Relax, I’m safe now, thanks to you.”
He nodded. “Very good.”
Loki turned away as you opened the door of the building. “Would you have let me stay at your place if I had been locked out?” You asked innocently.
Loki didn’t turn around. “It is not out of the question.”
A soft smile spread across your face. “Do I have your number if I need to know anything about the class?”
Professor Laufeyson turned around. “The one I gave you over coffee will suffice.”
“Right, office number.”
He put his hands in his pockets and looked uncomfortable. “It is my personal phone actually.”
You blinked, remembering the scrap of paper with his neat, pristine writing. “Oh. Well, I’ll try not to bug you then.”
“I don’t believe you could.”
“Huh?”
“Would.”
“Well, if I get a funny cat picture, I might send it along.”
Loki chuckled. “Yes. Perhaps.”
“Or…” You began hesitantly. “If I’m getting coffee and need company?”
Loki looked at you poignantly.
“I’m sure I can figure out your order and bring it to your office.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “I do like coffee.”
“Noted and memorized. I’ll make sure to get you some before class, then.”
He hummed. “Yes. I suppose before class. Our coffee meeting today was pleasant. I do look forward to picking more at your mind.”
“Hey, you gotta share too.”
“Perhaps I will. Good night, my dear.”
You stepped into the warmth of the building, a completely different warmth flooding through you as you thought of what he said. Biting your lip, you felt butterflies in your stomach. You couldn’t dare risk looking back. Then you jogged up the stairs to get to your room. Your mind racing over your new boss.