Chapter Text
The two deans seemed to have rekindled their friendship and had even picked their habit of playing chess together back up. Both women took those meetings as a chance to finally get to know each other properly, never missing an opportunity to learn more. They felt like students with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge which was ironic, given their occupation. Both found that it never got boring, learning about the other dean.
But if they had been busy before, managing their jobs and two whole school, their work took up almost their entire time now. They were past the beginning stage of the new school year which meant that there were tons of tests to grade and that “pesky ball”, as Lesso referred it on more than one occasion, to organize. Then, there was still the question of the schoolmaster, as there still hadn’t been someone appointed for the job.
All of this left them with barely any time to catch up about anything other than work. At least they saw each other quite often while they were working though, since they had to run practically everything by each other. Well, there couldn’t only be upsides to merging schools. In of itself, seeing each other wasn’t a problem of course. But it meant that they often had to walk the rather long way to the other castle. Both women could have transported themselves through magic means, of course, but after the third time Clarissa had spilled her tea when the never had suddenly appeared in her office, they had stopped that.
“This can’t go on, Lesso!”, the fairy godmother said. “It’s just… too much. Yes, I am all for uniting the schools but I don’t want to have to let you know about every little decision I make.”, she complained, earning an approving noise and a nod from the never dean.
“I agree. I do enjoy your company every now and then but I don’t have to see your pretty little ever face every time someone has to decide which door to go through.”, the redhead joked, quickly dismissing the faint blush that appeared on Clarissa’s cheeks at her words. Surely, it was just the light playing tricks on her eyes.
Despite her joking tone, there was some truth to her words. The never couldn’t stand being near the blonde so much. Not when the aching in her heart got stronger every time she saw her sitting behind this desk, looking all pretty and sweet. It was those moments when the self-doubt tightened its grip around her again. She despised herself then. How dare she, longing for this pure creature? She couldn’t taint her beauty with her darkness, she mustn’t.
“Are you alright, darling?”, the ever asked, noticing the other dean lost in thought, the previously teasing expression on her face slowly growing sour.
Ouch. There was no way the fairy godmother didn’t know what she was doing to her. How could she not when the usually put together redhead turned into this unfamiliar blushing, flustered version of herself in her presence. In her defence, who wouldn’t with those beautiful brown eyes trained entirely on them, and a constant onslaught of pet names coming out of that, indeed, very kissable mouth.
It only made this harder, trying to stay away from her. At least in that way. A friendship between them was possible, yes, and the never couldn’t imagine her life without her bubbly counterpart anymore. But she also knew that there was a thin line between friendship and this growing desire inside of her. And while she had spent her whole life, exercising self-control, she had a feeling like this would be an entirely new challenge, the likes of which she had never faced before. But she had to succeed. It was for Clarissa’s own good.
And so, the never quickly found herself confirming that everything was alright before she almost rushed out of her fellow dean’s office with a burning face, overthinking their conversation, leaving a slightly confused Clarissa behind her.
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Both deans had voiced their complaints to the other staff members and they had scheduled a meeting to discuss how they should handle the situation. There was just one more day of teaching to get through before they could finally fix this mess. One more day of chaotic classes with both evers and nevers complaining about the classes, some straight up refusing to do their work. One more day of “Why should I? That’s for evers” this and “No, I couldn’t, this is evil” that. And they had seemed so eager about the unification at first. It seemed like old habits stuck and it was hard to get rid of them. Although the complaints had become considerably less since the start of the school year. Both deans just hoped that soon everyone would have adapted to their new ways.
...
Clarissa Dovey was a simple woman. She heard her crush friend, she looked. After all, they were friends, showing interest in the other was no crime, right? That was what she tried to tell herself when one of her students called her out on her staring, causing the whole class to erupt with laughter. It only got worse when her cheeks reddened at her slip-up. Well, at least the doubled amount of homework she gave them at the and of the lesson wiped the smiles from their faces. Was it strict? Yes, but wasn't this year all about sharing their ways? So what if Lesso had rubbed off on her? And after all, she had her dignity to protect. And who could blame her?
She had been teaching a class of second year's, high up in one of the towers of the school for good when she had heard shouting from the castle grounds. At first, she had brushed it off as students spending their free period outside, enjoying the sun and the warm weather. That was when a familiar voice had piqued her curiosity, successfully distracting her from her class.
It had become increasingly more difficult to concentrate, knowing that the redhead was down there. How could she have forgotten that Lesso was teaching sword fighting to the girls of both schools during this period? Professor Espada had been asked to take the girls on but he refused, stating that swordplay was for boys only. And so, Lady Lesso had taken the job, teaching the girls how to defend themselves, finally. It was better this way anyway, since almost none of the girls had ever even touched such a weapon, and fighting against the boys who had received lots of training, it just wouldn't have been fair. This class was to teach them, not humiliate them, after all.
Clarissa had allowed herself just one short glance. And then another, and another, until the short glance had become a rather long glance. She hadn't been able to look away, mesmerized by the elegant movements of the other woman. How could she move like this, despite always walking with her cane? The blonde had been outright staring at that point, a strong blush visible on her face. She knew, of course, that Lesso was beautiful, she would either have to be blind or stupid not to notice that but in this moment, when she watched †he never gracefully moving across the school grounds, sword in hand, she looked truly ethereal. The way the sunlight reflected on her red hair, making it look golden when it hit it at just the right angle, it looked like a halo, framing her beautiful face. She looked like an angel. How ironic, the blonde thought.
...
But the fairy godmother wasn't the only one who was staring. Too many times, the never dean caught herself gazing at her good counterpart. She tried to avoid it as best she could, but it seemed impossible. It was like a magnetic pull existed between them that had her immediately whipping her head around when she heard the beautiful laughter of her newfound friend.
It was infuriating really. It was like her body was acting against her will. Was it really like that though. Yes, she told herself she shouldn't look at the ever like that, but that didn't mean that she didn't want to. It was just too tempting, catching Clarissa's eyes across the room, having her attention on her alone, even if it was just for short moment before they both had to get back to their busy working schedules.
That being said, the redhead hoped that everything would be better organized after the meeting that would take place in the afternoon. Maybe then, everyone would stop loading off their work on her and Clarissa. Then, whoever would be appointed schoolmaster could deal with that and they could get back to doing half of what they did now. In the best case scenario, at least.
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After everyone had taken their place on the long table, Emma cleared her throat.
"Let us begin,",she said "We have come together to discuss the further organization of our classes and the Snow Ball, as well as addressing the question of who should be the next school master."
At those words, all eyes were on the two deans, having Lesso shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She already didn't like the direction this was going in.
Most of the meeting went by in a haze, and Lesso found herself not paying much attention, only catching small bits of the conversation, and instead taking to staring at the yellow clad woman who seated opposite her. How nice that dress looked on her, hugging her figure just right, accentuating her-
"Lesso!", an annoyed voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Are you even listening?", Emma asked, and the redhead didn't like the knowing look in her eyes at all. Did she know what was going on inside her head? Yes, she had pulled that trick in the library, but surely she didn't know. She couldn't. The never wasn't that obvious, was she?
"Yes, yes,", she quickly lied "I'm listening."
"Right.", the beauty teacher said in a tone that made it clear that she saw right through the dean.
"Let's continue with the schoolmaster then. I think we should appoint someone and then vote.", she continued.
Now this was something the never would gladly listen to. Whoever got the position would do her a huge favor, not only taking some of the work off her shoulders but also helping her with keeping her distance from Clarissa. At least a little bit. If she could minimize their contact, perhaps it would be easier pretending that she didn't want to swoop her up into her arms and kiss her senseless very moment of the day. It would be easier to protect her from the evil that lurked inside her, and she would do it, even if it hurt her.
It was Clarissa who raised her voice now.
"I think Emma is most suited for the position, she has been teaching at the school for a long time and she would do a good job."
To both her and Lesso's surprise, they were the only ones who raised their hands. Strangely, the beauty teacher seemed neither offended nor surprised by this lack of support for her taking over the job.
Instead, it was her turn to speak now. "Who in this room agrees with me that our two deans should take on the position", she said with a mischievous smile, and it occurred to the redhead that they must have talked about this before. When she saw everyone except her and Clarissa starting to raise their hands, she could feel panic getting a hold of her again. No, surely they wouldn't.
"Well, it's settled then.", Emma said, sounding way too happy for the never's liking. Her next words made the situation even worse for her though, and as soon as she heard the words "moving in together", she knew that staying away from the woman in front of her would be impossible.