"Ok everyone, you may go to lunch. Don't forget to study for the test next class, it is worth 60% of your grade so you're going to want to study for it."

A round of scattered groans erupts from a few of my students as they exit my classroom. I sort out a few papers on my desk and turn off my smartboard. I sip my now cold tea and pack up the rest of my papers into my bag.

I sit down in the break room and look over a few emails when I suddenly get a tap on my shoulder, "May I?"

I nod and smile at my friend, "Good morning Professor Albedo."

He shakes his head with a smile and sits down, "I've already told you, just call me Albedo."

I nod and he sets down two mugs, "I know how you like your tea so I assumed you ran out by now?"

I chuckle and he pushes the mug of tea towards me, "Just what I need. Thanks." I sigh and he takes a sip of his coffee, "You like your coffee black right?"

He smiles, "Of course, it is the most efficient thing that keeps me awake for my classes."

"How's your new assistant...Sucrose(?) doing?"

He lets out a sigh and sets down his coffee, "She's...progressing. Quite quickly actually."

"Why the long face then? Isn't she a very enthusiastic assistant?"

"Yes, that's part of the problem. Sometimes she's...too enthusiastic."

I sip my tea and look at him in confusion, "Oh? What's wrong with that?"

"Last week she was a little too enthusiastic and spilled a few of the chemicals in my lab. Luckily we got to it before any students were injured but that could have seriously been bad if they had touched it."

He shakes his head and speaks with an exasperated breath, "She's a good kid but sometimes a lot to handle. It took us 2 hours after class to safely clean up all of the remains of the chemicals."

"Ouch."

"I know, I should've been home grading papers. I wasted a lot of time in the class." He sighs and leans back in his chair. "How are your classes going? I know you have some rather interesting students this year."

"Tell me about it. Xinyan and Yanfei are my most talkative students. They constantly talk through independent reading time. Whenever they get the chance to, they will talk. I love those two girls but other students need quiet to read."

"How is your grading coming along?"

I lean all the way back and let out an annoyed sigh, "I don't even want to talk about it. It's almost the end of the semester and Kaeya and Venti decided it would be best to pile all of their work on me 2 weeks before the semester ends. On top of that, I have essays to finish grading from students who turned in their work on time."

Albedo chuckles and fixates his glasses, "You've got your work cut out for you this weekend."

"You're telling me. I'll be busy all weekend." I take a long sip of my tea and look down at my bag on the floor.

"I was wondering, would you like me to help you grade some of those essays?"

My eyes widen and I look up at him surprised, "Are you sure you're not busy?"

Albedo laughs and stands up, "I promise. I only have a few more tests to grade and those can be finished next planning period. I'll come by around 11 am? Tomorrow?"

I nod, "See you then." I stand up and grab my bag, waving him goodbye while I make my way to my next class.

The next day a knock sounds at my door around 11:20 am. I open my door and smile at Albedo, "Good morning professor sir." I wink at him and a slight blush cascades over his features.

"Come on now, we've been friends for a while now, you know you can just call me Albedo."

"I know. Now come on in. It's chilly out there."

After a few hours of grading, I find myself asleep with my head leaning against the table. I notice Albedo sitting a few feet away from me, seemingly focused on something.

I smile at him and sit up, he turns over and smiles when he sees me, "Morning sleepy head. I thought you'd never wake up."

I blush and chuckles, "You've got something there-" He reaches for my face and I can feel my face warming up. He takes it off and shows me a pencil.

"Thats so embarrassing!" I shout, covering my face.

He just laughs and smiles, "I think it's kind of cute actually."

"Shut up!" He just laughs and I rub the sleep from my eyes. "What are you working on anyways?"

He blushes slightly and covers his painting, "It's nothing."

I pout and stand up, "Come on! I wanna see it!"

He shakes his head, "It's too embarrassing..."

"Come on! I would never make fun of you and you know that!"

"Fine." He murmurs and moves his hands from in front of his painting.

I walk over to him and gasp when I see it, "I-it's me...!"

He blushes and rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah...it's just- you looked so cute when you fell asleep...so calm. So peaceful, I wanted to capture your beauty...but I don't think I did it justice."

He looks away blushing and I smile and wrap him in a hug, "Are you kidding? It's so good! I can't believe you drew me, you made me look so cute! Hehe!"

He hesitantly hugs me back and I can feel him relax a little, "Seriously, it's really good. Thank you." I let go of him and I laugh at his flustered expression.

"(y/n), I have to tell you something." I look at him concerned there's something wrong and he smiles sweetly with a light tint over his cheeks, "I like you."

"I like you too Albedo!" I smile at him happily.

"No, I mean, I really really like you...I might be too forward in asking this but...will you-"

"YES! Oh I mean,"

"You didn't even let me finish." He chuckles and smiles, "Glad you've accepted my date purposal then."

"D-date?" I feel my heart hammering in my chest, I've always liked Albedo but I never thought he would ever be into me, but I'm glad I'm wrong.

I calm my beating heart and take in a deep breath, "Yes Albedo, I would love to go on a date with you."

"Tomorrow?"

"It's a date."