Rhink One Shots

Private Practice | Part 2

Teacher/Student AU; Link is 19 y/o, Rhett is 35 y/o.

The weekend passed unusually slowly. Link didn't get excited about it too often. Weekend just meant having to spend even more time with his stepfather and his kids and force himself to smile. This time, the two days of rest were even more undesirable.

Lincoln sat behind his desk on the warm morning of Sunday. Of course, all of the homework was left for the last hour, and to be honest, usually he wouldn't even do it. But with time to spare, the dark haired boy decided to give it a shot. Plus, if he did his homework, Mr. McLaughlin would probably be more proud of him, and just the thought of that motivated him.

To be honest, it wasn't any easier to concentrate without Rhett beside him. No hand touching, no warm breath ever so slightly reaching the right side of his forehead, no nice calming voice explaining him the subject. But Lincoln managed to have most of it done by the time his mom called him to come downstairs for lunch.

- You haven't even touched your cereal this morning. - she noticed, making Link glance over to the box of cereal standing next to the microwave. He wasn't really hungry. Well, Rhett's cookies would be nice right now, but that's about it.

- How's the project going? - Roy asked with a quite forced smile. More like "try-hard" smile. It was different from the forced one.

Lincoln pulled the chair and sat down at his usual place, trying to ignore Lucy who annoyingly swung her legs, hitting Link a couple of times. She was cute. Blond hair, bright eyes. Just too annoying... - Good! - the dark haired try-harded a smile back. - Still not much progress, but good.

- Just try to get home by dinner time, next time, okay honey? - Link's mom put his plate in front of him and caressed his face. - Or ask for a phone and call us. Roy can go pick you up! Yeah?

Lincoln sighed. - Sure.

- - - -

Finally, Tuesday arrived. Once again, Link stood in front of the fence door, with his heart beating fast and loud. Just like every time he passed through McLaughlin in the corridor of the university building. Ridiculous, I know.

He inhaled deeply, the main purpose of it being to make sure he didn't put too much cologne. At least Roy had good taste in choosing how to smell!

- Someone's eager to learn! - Rhett's voice sounded from behind the bushes, for the hundredth time making Link jump. - It's open. Come in. - Link wished he hadn't proposed that since his face was already burning. With a deep sigh, he pushed the metallic door, carefully closing it behind him. He truly should stop arriving so early...

Rhett was standing a few meters away from the entrance. An improvised bandana prevented his hair from sticking on his sweaty forehead. He was wearing big gloves, in his right hand holding some gardening scissors. Lincoln swallowed loudly, biting his lip to remind himself to breathe.

- I wish you arrived this early to my classes. - the blond chuckled. Link blushed even more.

- Classes ended a little earlier today and I didn't really want to go home... - he looked at the ground. - So I figured I'd just walk straight to here.

Another chuckle left Rhett's mouth. - It's okay, Link. I don't mind. - his voice was loud, making the dark haired look back up. His eyes met a nice smile spread on Rhett's face, making his belly have a funny feeling. - I can finish this later.

- I can wait. - the dark haired was quick to answer this time, not even letting Rhett put down the scissors. The blond looked at him for an extra second and then nodded, slowly going back to the work he was doing.