Motion Sickness | Simon Petrikov x Reader

Chapter 18 | Dancing into the Unknown

Nothing could've mentally prepared you for the day after the blissful night you had with Simon.

First of all, you and Simon felt like zombies crawling out of their graves when you had to wake up in the morning. Simon had to practically drag you out of the front door to go to work. You were tempted to call in sick, but he told you it would be too irresponsible to do so. Of course he did. By the time you got to your office, it felt like you had been hit by a truck. Simon reassured you that the feeling of being hit by a bus is much different than you were experiencing. When you asked how he knew that, he stared at you before changing the subject. Cool, you found out something new about your boyfriend. He had been hit by a bus before. Sounds about right.

When you sat down and got to work, you heard a knock at your door. When you looked up, it wasn't Simon.

Adam Holter, an acquaintance of yours, stood within the doorway of your office. He was a history professor you had previously come into contact with when you were settling in to the university.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He leaned against the doorframe, a small smile on his face.

You shook your head and rolled your chair backwards and away from your computer, "Oh no, please, come in."

Adam took a few steps into the room, taking a seat after you gestured to the chair on the other side of your desk. He cleared his throat, flashing a friendly smile at you again. His deep brown eyes caught the sunlight for a moment, before they flickered back to the dim shadows of your office.

"Is there something you wanted to discuss?" You gave him a small smile, but you couldn't help feel a nervous feeling burying itself within your chest. Adam had never come to see you like this before and you two only have conversations when it's convenient, like at staff meetings.

He cleared his throat, "There is an interesting artifact that I have been studying for a while."

"Really? I didn't know you were interested in antiquities." You grabbed your coffee cup, roatating the spoon around the rim of the porcelain edge.

"I heard you have quite the knack for such a topic," he began, "which is why I'm here."

You directed your attention to Adam.

"I've been apart of a research project for quite some time. We've been looking for a certain ancient artifact that could prove the existence of the multiverse if we get our hands on it."

You stopped for a moment, "go on."

"Have you ever heard of a reflectora, Dr. (L/n)?"

You felt your heart drop to your stomach. You took in a shallow breath, setting the cup down along with the spoon. "I've... heard of it."

"Do you know any helpful information that pertains to its existence? It's whereabouts?" Adam leaned forward slightly, his posture tense.

You swallowed hard before shaking your head, "I don't. I don't know much." You lied.

"That's a shame." Adam slumped back into his chair.

"Yeah, I'm sorry." You laughed nervously. You felt your muscles start to shiver with anxiety, your breathing becoming irregular, "My partner is much more experienced with antiquities if I'm being honest—"

You felt a weight of regret sink into your shoulders.

"Really? Who's your partner?"

You stopped breathing.

"Oh, uh," your eyes flickered instinctively across your office, and met Simon walking into the room.

He stopped in the doorway, holding his lunch in his hands. "Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting anything?"