The witch and the werewolf

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Max loved Miss Art, not in a sexual or romantic way, only in a way where a student can love a teacher, Max looked up to Miss Art, they chase her approval and once they got it, they never wanted to let it go, holding it like a pearl in a clam.

However, over their lessons, Mrs Art became more demanding, and it got harder and harder for Max to hold onto the pearl of attention, she didn't give it to anyone else either, it just started to disappear.

Max did whatever they could to try and get it back, but it faded and faded like a flickering fire in a fireplace of one of the many rooms in the house.

"You're a good drawer." Corvus said from his position on the couch.

"You may think so Corvus, but I'm not." Max sighed, chin on their knees, arms around their legs in front of the fire.

"You are, I don't lie Max." Corvus said, leaning closer to Max on the couch.

"But are you an art teacher?" Max asked.

"No." Corvus winced.

"So unfortunately, you don't get a say in whether my art is good or not-"

"I don't have to be an art teacher to admire your art." Corvus jumped off the couch and walked closer to Max. "Like I don't have to be a chief to admire food."

Max shuddered and hid their face in their hands. "Thanks." They mumbled.

---------------

Any bit of self-worth Max gained back, unfortunately wasn't due to any of their friends, it was to due art.

"Now today class." Miss Art began, walking across the classroom, her steps seemed graceful, but Max could hear how they thumped heavy as if weight had been placed on her shoulders that only she could see.

"We will be doing some carving, one rule you'll want to remember is always have the hand holding the wood behind the one you're carving with." Miss Art begun to hand out small bundles of knives.

"And remember not to carve too deep, you don't want to wreck it by digging to deep and stabbing right through it." She passed a bundle to Max.

Max swallowed thickly and looked down to the bundle in disappointment, were those words directed at them? What had they done wrong to not be careful and dig too deep and stab their favourite teacher.

Max froze, the knives were made of silver, it didn't affect them physically, but they had learned to stay clear of them since Corvus moved in.

"Alright?" Miss Art asked with a tilt of her head.

"U-uh yeah." Max grabbed the silver and inspected it, taking off their glove to feel the cold material in their hands, a chill ran up their spine and they shuddered with relief.

"Sorry if I seemed hesitant before." Max said once they realised the teacher hadn't left their side like she usually did.

"Why were you hesitant?" She asked in that warm voice, filled to the brim with concern.

"Some of my friends have a sensitivity to silver-it messes with their skin." Max explained.

"Oh, that's unfortunate." Miss Art cooed.

"Yeah." Max gulped.

"Well, I know this is unrelated, but would you like to stay after the less for a bit more work?" Miss art asked.

"Work?" Mas asked.

"I've noticed your art hasn't been improving so much." Max deflated. "So, if you would like to improve you can stay behind for a little bit."