Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Noodles
Yoongi blushing is adorable. Objectively speaking, of course. Teddy's lips curled into a smile. She wanted to give the boys as much control as possible, but they had made it clear they didn't want to be treated like glass. So what was a little teasing between friends? At least she hoped they were friends, friendly acquaintances at least.
Smile still present, Teddy continued her typing. There was a lot to do, she had more lessons to set up the materials and teachers. The teachers were the most time-consuming part since they had to be heavily vetted before their resumes even made it to her desk and the interviews would begin.
And now with Yoongi's decision, there was a new position that would have to be filled. Not that she regretted it of course. She was glad he made a decision on his path of study and was more than happy to get him all the resources he needed to be successful. Even though the human body had little interest to her besides knowing how to best incapacitate someone, she still could see the practicality of his desire.
It took a couple of hours but eventually, Teddy finished everything she could do on her end for the boys' education. The list she had originally rough drafted proved to not be enough for the boys' appetite for knowledge and skills. She pulled up her work screen, the company hadn't necessarily been neglected since her roommates' arrival: but she should check in now when she had a moment.
Maybe she could touch up some of the newer designs. Ms. Philips did a brilliant job as always, but the design seemed to lack something. Losing track of time was nothing new to Teddy when she got engrossed in her work especially when she got to design something, but it was still a surprise when she heard a polite knock on her office door and realized that it was nearly eleven O'clock in the evening.
Stylus still drumming on the desk and her mind was still half on the tweaks she had made to the design and whether she should carry them over to a couple of other projects that designer's block had been halting she let out a "come in."
The door slowly opened a tray breaching the doorway first as Seokjin made his way in. At the delectable smell, Teddy finally felt the pangs of a missed dinner. Seeing her perk up Seokjin wore a triumphant grin his chest puffing up just the tiniest bit. Perhaps if she wasn't completely enamored at the thought of devouring every last thing on the tray Teddy would have chuckled at it.
"You didn't come to dinner and I figured you would come later, but since it was getting later I decided I would just bring it to you," Seokjin explained as he began to set the dishes on the empty desk, the desk being more of an aesthetic decision than a practical one since Teddy preferred to holo-screen her work.
"Thank you Seokjin, I'm starving. Sorry about missing dinner I lost track of time."
Finishing the set-up and passing her the utensils, Seokjin gave a nod of acknowledgment at her thanks and leaned the tray against the desk before sitting in one of the two chairs across from her.
Shoveling a mouthful of noodles into her face, Teddy cocked her head at his posture. His right ankle rested on top of his left knee, while he slouched backward into the chair his head propped up by his right arm on top of the arm of the chair. His left arm loosely crossed in front of his body.
Forcing herself to chew and swallow before taking another mouthful of delicious steamy noodles, Teddy considered the meaning of the posture.
It was one meant to ooze casual confidence and control, which he did beautifully but the left arm even though seemingly casually placed was in front of his chest. It was a defensive position. He also sat across from her, a position for opposing sides.
Seokjin was not shy, he could have moved the chair to the side of the desk or next to her or even left. So this meant something: it was intentional.
Finished with the second mouthful of noodles she lifted the bowl to start sipping at the broth. Either this soup deserved to be in a Michelin-level restaurant, she was just that hungry, or this was another part of Seokjin's plan. If the latter was true he had the right idea, the quickest way to her good side was good food.
Jokes aside it didn't take rocket science to figure out that he wanted to talk to her about something and it wasn't something he thought she would like or agree to.
But that could wait, food first.
With a satisfied hum, Teddy set the last dish back onto the desk.
"Ok, go ahead," Teddy said waving a hand and leaning back into her own chair her posture mirroring his except her legs were crossed at the knees. To his credit, he did little more than raise an eyebrow before adjusting his posture into a more upright position.
"You need to have practice sessions with us and I'm not talking about the skills were are learning. I'm talking about how we need to act in public." Seeming to sense her objections he continued. "There will be a dynamic shift, you are going to have to treat us like pets." He glanced at her pursed lips and white-knuckled grip on the chair. "It will be terrifying for both sides, but if we aren't comfortable it will be worse."
"I know Seokjin, we have had this discussion before that's why I gave you guys those lists," Teddy responded her face forced into a mask of neutrality.
"And we filled them out, we have had them filled out for a while." His expression and tone were exasperated. "You need to start, you are not doing any of us favors by waiting."
Her mask slipped a little at the comment and tone, "And how do you suggest I do that? I've tried, but every time I even think about it I'm still terrified." The desperation and defeat leaking into her voice.
"What are you terrified of? You won't become like them, you will stop when we say to, you will follow our boundaries and you will protect us by acting this way." She didn't believe him: he knew that.
"You'll do it on me first. Did you read my boundaries?" A nod from her. "Do you know my safe word?" another nod. "Then we start now."
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