Chapter Text
Rhett had always prided himself on achieving every goal he set for himself, no matter how hard he had to work for them. He had graduated to the highest degree in college, studying further to become a Doctor of Astrophysics - he’d always been fascinated by the workings of space and the universe. He’d always wanted to be a professor, he could talk for hours upon hours about the subject he loved so much, the job was a perfect fit. He’d been teaching at this college for over two years now, his students loved him and he loved them just the same, he was firm but fair and always had his office door open for those who needed support.
Outside of his office hours, you could always find the professor in the college library, his head buried in a book or frantically typing a new research paper. He loved the tranquillity of the library, always tucking himself away in a hidden nook away from stressed-out students and pen-tappers to give him a few hours of peace. He loved the exposed brick and dark oak shelves, with the books always meticulously lined and ordered to perfection - but he especially loved the librarian who spent his time ordering said books.
Rhett didn’t know a lot about Mr Neal, he had been working at the school long before Rhett had joined. He was a quiet man, always tidying books away or tapping away at the computer, keeping himself to himself. He’d heard the librarian speak a few times, he had a soft, southern voice that was always nothing but polite to the students he assisted. They’d never spoken directly as such, Mr Neal would sometimes wish him a good day after Rhett would check out a book, but he quickly turned back to the computer and flushed a deep pink - Rhett just figured that he was shy. Besides, Rhett often came across as rather intimidating to most people, what with his 6’7 frame and deep, booming voice, so he tried not to take it too personally.
Rhett was dying to speak to the man though, he always caught himself staring at the bumbling librarian. He noticed how the man often chewed on a hangnail whenever he was stressed, how he constantly nudged his tortoiseshell glasses with his knuckle to reposition them on his nose and, most endearingly, how he was always tripping over his own feet or dropping a book with his shaky hands. Rhett gathered that he was a nervous man, always chewing on his bottom lip whilst he scanned through returned books or stapled new displays to the wall - but something about him seemed so precious to Rhett - some would say he was smitten.
As much as Rhett wanted to know more about the man, he realised it was just a silly crush. Mr Neal had barely looked in his direction over the past 24 months, his head was always down whenever Rhett walked into the library and on the off-chance that the Professor did catch his gaze, Mr Neal was quick to look away. He’d thought about approaching the librarian a few times, perhaps feigning stupidity in attempting to find a book just to steal the man away from the desk for a few moments, perhaps start a conversation to at least break the silence. Rhett never found the courage to do that though, instead, he settled for stolen glances and drifting daydreams about the silver-haired man.
The situation was playing on Rhett’s mind, he never usually had any issue achieving his goals, he was a confident man that was afraid of very little - yet, this crush had him floored. So, after a week of rehearsing his ‘lines’ in the mirror (something he swore he would never admit to anyone), he decided he was going to talk to the man. Nothing too crazy, perhaps just an invite to lunch to make academic connections, to make friends. Just friends. He didn't even know if the man was interested in dating, he could already have a partner. Rhett had no idea.
But he was dying to find out.
As Rhett quietly pushed open the door to the library, he instantly spotted the man at his usual spot, perched behind his desk with his nose in a book. A rogue strand of his greying hair had fallen onto his forehead haphazardly, his bottom lip was tugged between his teeth as he skimmed over the pages with one finger. Rhett smiled to himself softly, admiring the endearing librarian from afar. He took large strides over to the physics section to scout out a book (he didn’t really need another book, he just needed a way to approach Mr Neal). He took a few deep breaths, mustering up the courage as he mindlessly scanned over the books, picking out the first one that somewhat related to his line of study - it didn’t matter, he’d be returning it soon enough anyway. He silently rehearsed the conversation in his mind one last time, willing himself not to mess this up.
His long legs shook as he made his way over to the desk, his eyes fixed on Mr Neal who was in the midst of whispering something to his colleague, Miss Fleming, the library assistant. As he made his final approach up to the desk, the librarian abruptly pulled away from his colleague, flushing his famous shade of red as if he’d just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Uh, Hi, Sorry… I just need to check this out please” Rhett said after clearing his throat, a small blush blooming under his beard as he offered the leather-bound book to Mr Neal.
Mr Neal simply nodded in response, taking the book with fumbling hands, refusing to meet the eyes of the taller man. Rhett swallowed down his nerves, mentally screaming to himself to not screw this up as he watched the man in front of him meticulously scan the book, tap out something on his computer and add the return slip into the front cover.
“All done” Mr Neal finally spoke, sliding the book across the desk, still not meeting Rhett’s gaze.
“Thanks… Hey, um, I was wondering when you get off for lunch?” Rhett asked quietly, his fingerless nervously tangling in his own beard.
“Uh, in about twenty minutes” The other man responded, darting his eyes to his watch, then momentarily meet to Rhett’s, before flicking them back to the desk.
“Would you maybe like to join me for lunch in the coffee shop? I spend so much time in here and I've never even said a sentence to you!” Rhett babbled, internally celebrating that he didn’t stumble over his words. He finally did it.
“Oh… I… Uh…I packed a lunch this morning” Mr Neal responded shyly, staring down at the desk as he flushed an even deeper red. The Professor instantly felt stupid, of course this man wasn’t interested - why would he be? he doesn’t even know me!
“I see, no problem” Rhett responded, forcing a small smile before turning on his heels, keeping his head down as he headed for the exit, his face burning with rejection. He mentally cursed himself for being so stupid, dragging his feet back to his office, clouded with humiliation - how was he ever going to set foot in the library again?
As soon as Professor McLaughlin had shut the door behind him, Link pulled his glasses from his face and slammed his head against the desk, groaning in frustration.
“What the hell was that!” Emily hissed, wheeling her office chair over to where Link was sulking, shoving his shoulder roughly with her neatly manicured hand.
“I panicked!” Link whispered back, not lifting his head from the desk as he mentally chastised himself.
“You’ve had a crush on that man for god-knows how long, he finally asks you out and you tell him you packed a lunch!?” Emily shot back, sighing dramatically as she rubbed her temples with two fingers.
“Keep your voice down!" Link hissed, his eyes widening as a few students craned their necks to see what the commotion was about. "Besides, he wasn’t asking me out!” Link whined, sitting up properly to look at his colleague, replacing the glasses on his nose.
“Of course he was, you idiot!” Emily replied, quieter this time as she lightly smacked him on the back of his head, shaking her own head in despair.
“I’ve really messed this up” Link sighed, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair to try and compose himself.
“No you haven't, just...Next time he comes in here, you do something, or I will!” Emily warned him, pointing a finger at him before turning back to her own desk to assist a student.
Link swallowed thickly as he turned back around to mindlessly tap away at the computer, mentally scolding himself as he pictured the scarlet flush painted on Professor McLaughlin's face - Link was a total mess. It had been so long since someone had asked him out, his body had seemed to completely repel the idea when the opportunity presented itself in the form of an incredibly tall and incredibly handsome Professor.
Next time. Link assured himself. Next time.