Introduction to Unlicensed Mental Health Counseling

NOTES: I remember VERY LITTLE about Community since I also haven't watched that in 8 years. I am so sorry if Duncan is OOC, and that's also why there's no other characters besides mentions lol.

For now the fic is rated T for alcoholism and the romantic scene is pretty tame. Also for now it is a one-shot but if people want I could add more... and potentially something more spicy ;) I'm tagging as F/M but the reader is pretty gender neutral the way I wrote it but if I write more, especially mature scenes, it'll most likely veer more into female reader territory.

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"The counselor is ready to see you. Go in the back room, he'll be with you in a moment."

You thanked the receptionist and did as she said. You shut the door and took a seat on the couch. After a few minutes, a knock rapped on the door and it opened. A familiar crooked-smiled, dark-haired Brit stuck his head through the doorway.

"How ya doing today?"

"Professor Duncan? What happened to the college counselor?" You shot up.

The professor hurried in and closed the door behind him.

"Ah, yes. For HR reasons I cannot disclose that information, I'm afraid."

You crossed your arms. "You come to class hungover half the time. Since when do you care about HR?"

"Since they made me the mental health counselor."

"So, yesterday?"

"Tuesday, actually. Excuse you," Duncan said, offended.

You rolled your eyes and began to gather your things.

"What are you doing?" Duncan asked.

"Look, professor, I'm a full-time student, and these sessions are provided by the school for free. I'm losing nothing but study time by being here. I got along well with the old counselor, and to be frank, I don't feel comfortable disclosing my personal matters with you."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Duncan shrugged. "They assigned me this role until they hire a new counselor and didn't give me a raise for my troubles. I don't want to be here, so leave if you want. It doesn't make any difference to me. If you leave I can catch up on grading papers."

You were stunned at that response, but it made sense. You headed to the door.

"Well, that's that, then. I need to find my own therapist. See you next class."

"Bye," Duncan said flippantly.

~~~

Yours was a knee jerk reaction, but truthfully you couldn't afford a therapist. Why does it have to be him?

After mulling it over, you booked an appointment for the following week on Greendale's student resources webpage. A shitty therapist was better than no therapist, right? At least you'd be getting your troubles out, even if Duncan was the receiving party.

~~~

When he stuck his head in the door again, Duncan's face was a mixture of smugness and surprise. "Back again?"

"Look... financially, I really need these sessions. So I'll try this," you gestured awkwardly around the room.

"Great," Duncan replied, his smugness growing. He pulled out a clipboard and a pen and seated himself across from you. "So, why are you here today?"

"I've got a lot of stress. Anxiety, feelings of depression. I don't feel I'm cut out for school, that I should just drop out. Half the time I feel like I'm only suited to work for Subway for the rest of my life. And aside from that, I have issues with some of my relationships..."