Coffee and Comfort bxb [private]

OK cool, I'll timeskip

Just as promised Charlie met him at the cafe the next night and they talked until it got late again. And like that the two had a bit of a habit going, meeting there almost every night, exchanging numbers to keep in contact easily. Since there was a few weeks in between the finals and start of next semester they had more time to hang out. Very quickly Charlie felt himself having some feelings for the other. He knew it was probably too soon after his last relationship but he couldn't help himself. Now that school was starting up again he knew he wouldn't be able to meet with asher as much which made him sad... With a sigh he headed into his first class of the new semester, sitting down and pulling out a notebook while he waited for the professor, sitting decently close to the front.
 
Asher walked into the classroom with his book bag slung over his shoulder. He took threw his backpack in a seat near the podium. For a moment he smiled to the other students walking in, but couldn't help and notice Charlie sitting only three desks away from him. It was all pretty exciting. Asher smiled as his plan started to take form.

The class was a general class called, "The History of Mathematical Philosophy". It was a course that Asher came up with during his graduate studies and eventually picked up by the University. This was the first time he was teaching this specific course and he was super excited. On top of that Charlie was in his class, which added a different kind of excitement.
 
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Charlie was a bit caught up in his notebook, doodling little notes as he waited for the class to start. When he heard more students arrive he finally looked up to see if the professor arrived. Almost immediately he spotted Asher, it was a moment of pure confusion before realization. Asher was a professor not a stupid, oh God he felt incredibly embarrassed he hadn't realized that before. They spent so many nights talking at the cafe and he never realized a thing.

Noticing he was staring he looked back down at his notebook, begging his face not to blush. He had feelings for his own professor, how the heck was he going to deal with this? Were they still going to meet at the cafe tonight and if so what would he even say?! So many questions racked the poor boys head as he couldn't focus on the class at the moment. Not in a million years did he see this coming, he checked his professors names but only the last name so he didn't even think about connecting asher to them.
 
Asher waited about 10 minutes after class was supposed to start. The first week was forgiveness week. Students rushed in seemingly lost and when he announced the name of the class three students walked out realizing that they were in the wrong classroom. This was common place which was why Asher always built in a buffer of sorts for those odd students that were still finding their footing.

Asher then stood in front of the class and began to lecture. "So everyone knows the Greeks and their obsession with mathematics, but does anyone know where the Greeks got many of their ideas?" The class went on without any issues, except maybe Charlie who kept his nose buried in his notebook. Asher wondered if Charlie would switch out of his class after realizing that Asher was a professor. The topics covered was the beginning of math and numbers as well as some nature info like the fact that ants can count their steps.

Once class was over there were a few stragglers. Asher answered questions about the add/drop period and a few general questions about registering for classes. When he was done with the few questions he looked at Charlie and asked, "Cafe tonight?"
 
Charlie couldn't help staying buried in his book, not expecting to see asher here at all let alone as a professor. He didn't like him any less knowing that he was a professor it just made things slightly more complicated. Class started later than usual, that was common he noticed on the first class of the semester, everyone running around trying to find where they were going. Being a person that liked being prepared, as soon as he found out the classrooms his classes were in he went around the school to find them and set down a general path he would take to get everywhere on time. He despised being late, walking into a classroom late was the most embarrassing thing to him.

But right now that had a pretty good contender, seeing your crush teaching your class was hard not to be embarrassed by. He managed to pay decent enough attention to the class as it started, trying to just take notes and not think about asher. That was harder to do when he was just so used to hearing that voice during their late evening chats, it had become a voice he blushed just when thinking about. But that was not something he wanted to do right now, blush throughout the whole class without context would look weird.

Eventually class ended, most students leaving quickly, most you could tell to rush off to another class. Charlie lagged behind, putting away all his stuff while trying to not look like he was dying or suspicious. Locking eyes with asher he heard his question, flubbering around a bit frazzled before he nodded. "S-sure," luckily most students were out of range but he hurried out of the class after that before anyone got suspicious. What was he supposed to do now? He had a crush on his professor.
 
Asher finished talking to the last student and noticed that Charlie was gone as well. He thought it was because Charlie had to get to another class. As he packed up his own stuff to head to his office for a few hours, Asher wondered if things at the cafe would change dramatically. He enjoyed Charlie's company and the conversations. While Asher's secret was now out, he hoped it wouldn't change much.

Asher got to his office and graded some papers and looked over his lesson plans for the week. After killing a few hours, Asher glanced at the clock. He still had a while before he had to head to the cafe. Leaning back in his chair, Asher felt a slight headache start. During the winter break he caught a head cold that persisted. He knew that there was no way he could skip class in the beginning of the semester so he was just powering through it. Closing his eyes, Asher dozed off.

When Asher woke in a cold sweat, it was dark outside. He checked the clock and it was an hour after their usual scheduled meeting time. Grabbing his jacket, Asher rushed out of his office to the cafe.
 
Charlie was admittedly thrown off by finding out the other was a teacher, his in fact. But it didn't make him stop having feelings for him...it just made it complicated. He spent the rest of the day in classes with his head thinking about asher. How was he going to be able to admit his feelings to him now?! On the off chance asher liked him back how were they going to make this work? His heart and brain ached with confusion and unsure of what to do.

Eventually he got out of classes heading back to his dorm to study for a bit before heading down to the Cafe. On the dot 30 mins before their time to meet he got dressed and headed out, there was a slight drizzle but it shouldnt get bad til later. He reached the Cafe first, walked him and ordered both their usual drinks, and waited. As time got close he got nervous usually asher was on time, but maybe since it was the first day back to classes he got caught up. OK...10 minutes past...15...20...30...45...a whole hour? This just wasn't right... Asher was never this late without messaging him, he was never an hour late period. His brain immediately thought the worst-what if he didn't want to be seen with a student like this? - , rubbing his eyes a little as he stood up, throwing away his now empty drink. Leaving Asher's on their regular table as he walked out into the pouring rain to try and get back to his dorm somewhat not drenched.
 
Asher ran through the rain as he tried to get to the cafe. It was pouring and Asher wasn't dressed appropriately. As he ran, he felt the cold rain penetrate his clothing. By the time he got to the cafe he was soaked to the bone. He looked around and noticed that Charlie wasn't there. He sighed heavily and leaned against a table. Asher cursed at himself as he nearly fell over. His breathing was heavy as he looked around at the workers. Going up to the counter, Asher ordered his usual. He might as well since he was there. Taking a seat at a table, Asher sat quietly as he sipped his coffee. Since there was no one to talk to and he didn't bring any work, Asher finished his coffee quickly.

Looking outside, Asher took a deep breath as he prepared himself to run back to his office to get his stuff before heading home. He was envious of the students who lived on campus and could just hop on a shuttle to take them back to their dorm. Running in the rain proved difficult as the rain came down in sheets. By the time Asher got to his office he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to take a shower and go to sleeep. Deciding to leave his papers and other important work in the office, Asher grabbed only the essentials and headed to his car.

Asher stumbled through the door of his apartment and threw the keys down. He took a quick shower and immediately fell asleep in his bed. He didn't have any clothes on and didn't really care. He lived alone and had no one to yell at him.
 
Charlie was upset as he made his way back home, leaving ashers coffee at their regular table was probably a bit stupid and he should have just thrown it away. They weren't dating or even mentioned liking each other so he shouldn't even be upset about him not showing up. But for some reason it truly pierced his heart, he was nervous to see the other but as always he looked forward to it more than anything. Only for him not to show up...and he had no idea why, maybe asher knew he liked him more than just as friend and didn't want to deal with a student liking him. What ever his reason he didn't know, making it back to his apartment absolutely drenched. He didn't wear even a coat, planning on talking with asher until the rain stopped.

He fell asleep, embarrassingly holding back tears right beforehand. As morning came he immediately felt awful, his nose felt painfully blocked. And knowing his first class was with asher today he just wanted to hide. Miserable, blocked nose, rosy fevered cheeks, he dragged himself to class. Charlie got sick very easily, always had since he was young which was usually why he avoided getting caught in the rain. But there was no going back in time, he just trekked through it, hood up as he got to class. He sat in his usual spot but pulled his notebook out and didn't bother looking up to see asher. After last night he just wanted to get this class down with and leave, not wanting to see the other right now since it would be hard to explain why he was stupidly upset and hurt about last night.
 
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Asher slept through his alarm and woke up late. He rushed through his morning routine feeling nauseous while doing so. Once dressed, Asher rushed out the door and headed to the campus. Quickly picking his notes up from his office, Asher walked through the door 10 minutes late. He apologized to the class before starting the lecture. It was obvious that he wasn't feeling great. His head was pounding and his ears rung slightly. He hated being sick, but didn't think it was more than a bad headcold.

The lecture started with geometry and the importance of shapes for mathematics. After half the lecture, Asher was leaning on the podium heavily. He wanted to get through the class, but felt like he was going to pass out. Feeling faint, Asher found the next stopping point and ended class early. None of the students argued as they filed out. Asher didn't stick around either. He headed straight to his office where he collapsed with the door closed.
 
Charlie wasn't really listening throughout the lecture and he never looked up. He didn't want to look at asher, not after last night. Plus he felt like hell, he didn't want to do anything right now. When the class ended early he was surprised but didn't argue. He stood up, gathered his things and left the room, all while avoiding looking at asher. Seeing as he had a bit before his next class he walked to a pharmacy to try and get something to make him feel better. He already had a thick accent but plus a blocked nose he was almost impossible to understand.

Eventually he got the medicine, just taking it like candy as he headed to his next class. No texts from asher, none, no apology text, nothing explaining what happened and he said nothing after classes ended. Charlie took that as a sign that the other didn't want to talk anymore which really hurt. He was so close to telling the other he had feelings for him as more than just friends. Too late for that now. Classes ended and he started a slow miserable walk back to his apartment, he hadn't felt really sad like this since he boyfriend broke up with him. Asher was the one that unknowingly lifted him out of that dark place but like flipping a switch he was right back there now.
 
Asher missed a conference with the math department which sparked some concern. It was a few hours after Asher's first class and Dr. Stable went to check on him after the meeting. She found him on the ground in his office and called an ambulance. The ambulance drove through campus and became the talk of the school. Only a few students saw what happened, but most were just confused as to why an amublance was on campus. Stories started and rumors grew.

Asher woke up in the ICU. He looked around and found an IV in his arm along with monitors all around him. He was confused and obviously uncomfortable. Calling a nurse, Asher asked what happened. Everything sounded muffled, but he attributed it to the medicine. Supposedly, the headcold he thought he had during winter break turned into meningitis which got worse after the rain. He was out for two days, but now everything was good. The students got a notification that Dr. Varga was out for a few weeks due to a medical emergency.
 
(I don't think headcolds can turn into meningitis? And pretty much all babies are vaccinated for it at birth...)
 
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