Lessons After Midnight (mxm)

𝓢𝓪𝓶

After the weekend, the following day in class, I couldn't face Ryan. He was sitting in the front row, smiling wide the entire time. His gaze was fixed on me throughout the entirety of the lecture.

The nightclub incident was still fresh in my mind and had clearly crossed a boundary I consider highly unprofessional. Interactions between teacher and student should remain strictly professional, and a nightclub—unsurprisingly—was far from that standard.

I have very few hard lines that I refuse to cross, and this situation was absolutely one of them.

Despite the awkward tension, I made an effort to stay focused on my lecture. My main goal was to finish the class and address the issue with Ryan directly. I needed to talk to him about the importance of not spreading rumors since such gossip could negatively impact both my job and his education.

"Your sources for the next short essay are next Wednesday, and the rough draft is due next Friday. The essay itself is due the Friday after that, so you have just about three full weeks from today to complete it. And remember, this is a short essay on a topic of your choosing. Make sure to use reliable sources, or you might lose points," I announced as I finished up the hour and a half lecture.

As the students began gathering their belongings and filing out of the lecture hall, I took the chance to pull Ryan aside.

"Ryan, I need to speak with you," I said firmly.

He looked up from his backpack, sliding his laptop into the bag. "About what?" he asked, ignorantly.

I shot him a stern look. "You know exactly what."

He rolled his eyes, a smirk barely concealed. "Alright, alright," he said with a shrug. I led him to the podium where I typically taught from. Leaning on the front of the podium, I crossed my arms over my chest while Ryan stood in front of me, hands on his hips.

"Let me guess," he said bluntly, "You're trying to make sure I don't go around campus telling everyone about seeing a professor at a kinky sex club?"

"Yes," I sighed, rubbing my temples in frustration. "You can understand why, I'm sure."

Ryan smiled deviously. "Well, you'll be reassured to know that I'm not allowed to talk about customers. It's a rule that all staff and members have to follow, or they risk being kicked out and facing legal action. So, your secret is safe with me," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "And plus, you and I have more in common than you'd think," Ryan said, winking as he patted me on the shoulder.

I smacked his hand off of me, not welcoming his unsolicited actions.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask my relief with a touch of sternness. "I'm glad to hear that. However, this isn't just about rules." I stated. "It's about respect and professionalism as well. I expect that our interactions stay professional moving forward."

"Of course." Ryan rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Is that all you needed to talk to me about? I don't want to be late for my next class."

"Yes, that's all. Thank you for your understanding," I said before sending him on his way. I zipped up my bag and slung it over my shoulder.

"Oh, hey. I was just about to knock," Ben said, startling me. I hadn't even realized he was on the other side of the door until I swung it open.

"I didn't even see you there, sorry about that." I apologized.

"Don't worry about it," He grinned, holding out a coffee to me," I took the cup graciously, thanking him as I walked with Ben to his lecture room.

"Everything going well with you're problem student?" Ben questioned.