I came back as soon as I can for you

“There is something haunting in the light of the moon; it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul, and something of its inconceivable mystery.”

―Joseph Conrad

…

Lunamor would usually show up for meetings between six or seven since she was at work after class... so, Hiro had decided to stay in his office after his student, Rachelle Grace. left before five pm and he had worked around that time frame in relative silence.

The only sound in his office was the gentle clicking of his keyboard–not that he had actually any paperwork to do much because of his sudden schedule’s vacancy, no thanks to Megan.

But this time, Hiro was wrong.

It was already fifteen minutes before the clock would strike eight. And Hiro stared at his phone’s clock for a few moments longer, thinking that he may be seeing it wrong… but it remained unchanging. He’d been waiting for at least four hours and Lunamor still hasn't bothered to show up.

Standing up, Hiro stretched his arms for a moment, raising them high in the air for as far as he can reach, ignoring the slight pins and needles as he glared at his cell phone, watching the time change from 7:45 to 7:46 pm before he decided enough was enough. He immediately began to pack up his things, shoving them in his bag with force, more than what was needed.

Hiro didn’t really care at the moment.

He was too annoyed at being stood up for what feels like the nth time. Why is Lunamor so freaking adamant at the importance of her time if she doesn’t even care about messing around with the schedule of others?

Does she really have to be so damn selfish?

Well, then!

Since Lunamor’s too important to show up for office hours, then he’s going to go home now. She can just try to meet up for another time!

As he locked his office, Hiro suddenly felt very annoyed, more so when he felt like he’d been stood up by his date (he brushed those thoughts quickly aside) as he began to walk away… and for what seemed to be the second time, Hiro very nearly crashed straight into Lunamor in the hallway.

Luckily this time around, he had reeled back just in time before he could round into the corner where Lunamor seemed to have pop out of nowhere who seemed also taken aback to see him, more so when she saw him already holding his bag.

Hiro immediately spoke up before she could even so much as think to open her damn mouth for any sort of excuse as of why she's late, he wouldn't even be accepting it, “Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you there. I was just leaving, Ms. Lunamor. So, if you’ll excuse me…”

He tried to walk past her.

She blocked his path.

“Ms. Lunamor,” Hiro tried to glare down at her. Though it was relatively useless because they were practically the same height, “…it’s already late. You can schedule a meeting next Monday.”

Her brows furrowed, confused.

“I scheduled a meeting tonight,” she said, her voice terse.

“Yes, yes but as you can see, office hours are already over,” Hiro pointed out, feeling the embers of his annoyance flare to life again as he momentarily fixed his glasses, “I’ve waited for over four hours for you to show up and… wait a minute–why did the guards even let you in? Campus is closed for students at 7:30!”

“I said I’d come by later, didn’t I?” Lunamor snapped, obviously annoyed that he even bothered to ask about that because of fucking course, the guards would be too intimidated to say no to one Cassandra Lunamor.

Hiro though, was a bit surprised to note now that he was looking more closely at the very light make-up she had on. He found his eyes quickly scanning her from head to toe, one eyebrow rising at the knee-length, blood-red dress she’s wearing. It was partially hidden by an oversized brown coat she had on (he hadn’t pegged her for the type to wear dresses, especially one that red)

And not to mention, the matching red kitten heels.

Lunamor must have noticed him staring curiously at her outfit because she fidgeted at the large buttons of her coat, imperceptibly drawing it in closer to herself.

“Do you have a date or something?” he asked.

She stiffened, “I’m not in a relationship.”

He raised an eyebrow at the severity of her tone, “Then what on earth are you wearing? Are you going to some sort of party after school?”

Lunamor actually winced at his incredulous tone, one gloved hand tugging lightly at the velvet-red ribbon holding her hair up into a stiff-looking bun, almost awkwardly, “N-No, I… well, I was. It was one of my business partners’ birthday… party.”

A snicker escaped his lips.

“What?” she snapped.

“Nothing, nothing–”

At the glare Lunamor’s giving him, Hiro quickly relented, still laughing, “It’s just… no wonder you’re looking so unusually dolled-up tonight, wearing make-up. And heels…”

Her eyebrow twitched.

“…and you’re wearing a dress–”

“Not another word about the stupid dress, professor,” Lunamor had to growl the word out very nearly, making Hiro wheeze in laughter, “…not another word.”

Oh god, he’s gonna die.

Still grinning, Hiro reluctantly raised his hands up in a placating gesture, trying not to smirk at the slightly embarrassed look on Lunamor’s face, “Right, right, whatever… well, I’m sorry that you had to hurry back here but it’s already late and I need to get home. You really should have just stayed there and enjoy the party.”

“I don’t even like parties,” she muttered.

Hiro busted out laughing again at the more-or-less petulant look on Lunamor’s unusually dolled up face, “Yeah well that’s nice and all but not really my problem… anyway, I'll be going now.”

“Fine,”

The sudden compliance instantly sobered him up.

Hiro stared at Lunamor with wide eyes for a moment, wondering if she was messing with him or not because what the hell is with the sudden bout of obedience.

He wasn’t expecting this… at all.

No, this is actually kind of disturbing, especially coming from Lunamor. Shouldn’t she be arguing about the importance of her schedule or some shit about wasting her time and whatnot?

Still, Hiro wasn’t one to complain.

He gave her a light, tight-lipped smile and tried to walk past her… only for her gloved hand to suddenly grab him by the arm and roughly drag him back until he was right in front of her again.

“Now what–?”

“Are you headed to the parking lot?”

“Uh, I am. Why?” he squinted at her suspiciously for a moment, “You… you don’t need me to drive you back to the party, do you?”

She still wasn’t letting him go.

“…I’ll tag along the way,” she informed him.

Hiro’s eyebrows shot up, “What? But why–?”

“Someone may be stalking you.”

His face instantly turned blank, “Sorry?”

“You heard me.”

They both went quiet for a moment.

Hiro stared at her.

She stared back, seriously.

“...Lunamor, be honest with me, is Professor Anderson putting you up with this? Are we being recorded right now?” he demanded, “Blink twice if you need help.”

“…I’m being serious right now.”

Hiro scoffed out a derisive laugh, forcefully pulling his arm off of her grip at that, “Oh, come on! Don't be ridiculous, Ms. Lunamor. As if someone’s gonna make a move on me or something. And even if they did, so what–it’s not like they can actually kidnap me.”

Lunamor gave him a look. “…You’re a bit of an idiot,” his student finally tells him, her tone sounding like even she was actually surprised at the discovery.