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Sonny knew he was late. Very late. But the case had dragged out for hours and there had been no way for him to leave any earlier than he had. Then his first lyft had cancelled on him too and now here he was trying to walk down the hallways to the lecture hall as quickly as possible without outright running. Thank god for his long legs.
He came to a stop in front of the door to the lecture hall and took a deep breath to try and regulate his breathing. The door of course squeaked as usual and a few heads turned towards him as he stepped inside.
He quickly took a seat in one of the rows at the back, only belatedly realising that the lecturer at the front had stopped talking. He looked up and his breath got caught in his throat at who he saw. The other man had his signature smirk on his lips as he watched Sonny.
“I expect the students to be punctual to my lectures. Just as a note.”
Sonny bowed his head down in embarrassment while his mind was racing about the fact that Rafael Barba of all people was his lecturer for the night.
Rafael had already continued his lecture by the time Sonny’s mind caught up with the present again.
Rafael was as mesmerising as a lecturer as he was in the courtroom. Maybe a few less theatrics. To judge whether he was a good lecturer too, Sonny was probably the wrong person to ask. His tired mind was more occupied with admiring the other man from afar as he strutted across the room, lecturing them about god-knows-what.
Sonny should probably be more embarrassed by not only being late but now also not even being focused considering he was usually one of the most active students in most of his classes. But all his mind was occupied with was his lecturer at the front.
“I didn’t know the DA’s office offered so much free time that you could go around lecturing night school students.”
“As a full-time detective and part-time law student, you’re one to talk.” Rafael smirked as Sonny approached him at the end of the lecture.
“What brings you around these areas then? I don’t recall you being very fond of Fordham.”
Rafael rolled his eyes at the jab.
“As you may have noticed your previous lecturer Mr. Evans isn’t here anymore, he had to take a leave and then you know how it goes. They need a replacement, they ask around, someone that faintly knows me thinks of me and decides to ask and next thing I know I’m teaching night school law students at Fordham.” Rafael said it all in a nonchalant tone, giving off a carelessness about the whole situation that Sonny wasn’t sure was real.
“You sure there wasn’t another reason you were interested?” Sonny teased and Rafael fondly rolled his eyes in response.
“Don’t think too highly of you, detective. Particularly considering you weren’t the most present student today.”
Sonny looked taken aback at being found out so easily and his cheeks reddened. Rafael chuckled at Sonny’s look.
“I notice things.” Rafael smirked. “And don’t worry, I know today’s been long for SVU because I know my rest of the week will be long.” Rafael sighed and Sonny gave him an understanding smile.
“I’ll still vow for improvement though.” Sonny said softly.
“I hope so.” Rafael smirked again. “Now let’s get out of here. No need to spend more time at Fordham than necessary.”
Sonny laughed at that and Rafael couldn’t help his smile either as he led Sonny out of the empty lecture hall.
The Tuesday night lectures with Rafael quickly became Sonny’s favourite part of the week. He tried his best to be more punctual too although it was outside of his powers sometimes but he knew Rafael would understand despite the teasing Sonny would get nonetheless.
Sonny tried to be more active in the lecture than that first night too. And Rafael’s proud smile at his inputs, made his heart flutter and was always a confidence boost.
More often than not, the both of them also stayed back after the lectures and talked. Sometimes only shortly, both of them ready to get home to a warm bed as soon as possible and sometimes longer continuing a discussion from the lecture.
Sonny was surprised that with both their jobs keeping them on their feet most of the day, he was the only one of the two usually tardy, Rafael always starting his lectures on the dot, sending a glare in every student’s direction who dared to come late.
So Sonny was even more surprised when he once again arrived a few minutes late to the lecture but the front of the room was empty, only the few students scattered around the room present, no sight of Rafael anywhere.
Sonny was about to pull out his phone to text the ADA when Rafael hurried into the room.
“Sorry for the delay today, I got held up.” Rafael apologised to the class before quickly starting his lecture for the day.
Sonny stayed back as usual after the class, waiting for the other students to leave to talk to Rafael just by himself.
Rafael sighed when the last student had left besides Sonny.
“Long day?” Sonny asked and Rafael nodded in response.
“The current trial’s a rollercoaster and had to argue with the judge about taking a break for the day.” Rafael gathered his things lying around his desk before looking at Sonny again with a thoughtful expression.
“Do you wanna join me for a drink tonight?”
Sonny’s eyes widened in surprise at the question. But then realised with disappointment the amount of work he still had to get done for his exams soon.
“Can I take a rain check for tonight? I still have to get some studying in.”
Brief disappointment flitted across Rafael’s face before it settled with an understanding expression.
“Yes sure. Probably not the best idea to do this as our current teacher and student arrangement anyway.” Rafael contemplated, his expression turning concerned with the last statement.
There was a silent moment between them, both just staring at each other, both becoming aware of all the implications they had just made in that small conversation. Eventually Rafael shook himself out of it, shaking his head lightly before smiling at Sonny.
“Good luck with studying then.”
“Thanks, have a good night, counselor.”
There were only two more lectures with Rafael in the coming weeks before the exams. And while Sonny had expected to have their usual talks after the lecture, Rafael seemed to have other plans, fleeing the room as soon as he had finished up, not even giving Sonny a chance to make it to the front of the room.
Sonny barely even saw the ADA during work either, Rafael only visiting the precinct shortly a few times to talk to the Lieu but otherwise their paths didn’t even cross regarding a case in the next weeks.
So Sonny took matters into his own hands and made his way to the DA’a office over lunch one day. Maybe he could convince Rafael to take a lunch break with him.
But by the time Sonny got to Rafael’s office, he was more angry with him than looking to invite him out for lunch.
“You know you don’t have to actively avoid me, right?” Sonny walked into his office.
Rafael looked up from behind his desk, a look of surprise on his face.
“Sonny.” Rafael’s cheeks reddened as he realised that he just casually used the other man’s preferred nickname that he usually avoided at all costs.
“I don’t think you’re the one to call me that right now.”
Rafael sighed and closed his laptop on his desk before getting up and walking around it, leaning on the front of it.
“I’m sorry. Just thought it’d be for the better for both of us until your exam is over.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Ever so eloquent.” Rafael interjected. “And you know fully well it isn’t. There shouldn’t be anything between us as long as I’m your lecturer.”
“So there can be something other times?” Sonny smirked.
“Is this all you took away from that?” Rafael groaned and Sonny grinned, stepping closer to him, crowding him against the desk.
“Was this whole avoiding me thing, necessary though?” Sonny asked softly, his lips only a breath away from Rafael.
Rafael shortly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before putting his hand in the middle of Sonny’s chest, gently pushing him away.
Sonny knew they were both looking equally disappointed right now, Rafael’s eyes full of apology too.
“If someone finds out, this will hurt us both.” Rafael said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
This time Sonny sighed. “It’s okay. I know you’re right, it’s just…” Sonny helplessly motioned with his hands in the air, not sure how to put it into words.
“I know.” Rafael replied softly and they both looked at each other in understanding.
Sonny didn’t have a lot of time to think about their relationship further as his exams came up and he was trying to make it through them while handling another busy week at SVU.
Rafael was avoiding him a little less actively in the coming weeks but he knew the ADA was waiting for Sonny to have his grade and be actually done.
It was conveniently right before lunch time when he finally got the notification about his grade. Sonny didn’t even take the time to actually check it before he had already grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair and excused himself to a lunch break.
This time he at least bothered picking up a coffee from the cart outside the DA’s office before walking inside.
He strutted over to Rafael’s desk after he had been called in and placed the coffee cup there, smiling over the rim of his own as Rafael looked up. The other man grinned at him before taking the cup and eagerly taking a sip.
“Tell me how long has it been since you got your grade?”
Sonny confidently checked his phone before answering with a grin. “Half an hour.”
Rafael fondly rolled his eyes at the comment.
He placed his cup to the side before getting up and walking around his desk.
“So is there something you wanted?”
Rafael smirked at him as Sonny quickly placed his emptied cup on the desk too and stepping closer.
“Yeah. You.”
Neither of them held back then.
Rafael let out a small gasp when Sonny lightly bit into his bottom lip who took the opportunity to deepen their kiss, slightly lifting Rafael up so he was sitting on the edge of his desk, Sonny between his legs.
“You know,” Rafael started between kisses, “an ADA and detective together isn’t a great look either.”
“I don’t particularly care right now.” Sonny replied.
Rafael chuckled at that. “Me neither.” He smiled before pulling Sonny into another kiss.