Chapter 21
RedHotLover: Good morning, Professor.
* * *
RedHotLover: Good morning.
RedHotLover: How has your summer been going?
RedHotLover: I miss you.
* * *
RedHotLover: Good morning, Professor.
RedHotLover: Professor?
* * *
RedHotLover: I’m back in the city. I want to see you.
RedHotLover: I’m in front of your door now.
RedHotLover: Did you change the code? Why?
RedHotLover: I’ll wait here until you return. I’m not going anywhere, Beck. You can’t just toss me aside like this.
* * *
RedHotLover: I had a great time seeing you last week! I hope we can do it again soon!
Huodou: As I’ve said, I’m busy this summer. My cousin is back, and I have to prepare for the new semester. Behave. I didn’t appreciate you coming to see me spur of the moment like that.
RedHotLover: But I was good, wasn’t I? You seemed stressed. You can’t say using me didn’t help.
Huodou: That’s true.
RedHotLover: See? Sometimes you just need to blow off a little steam.
Or a few loads. I’ll always be here for you, Beck.
You can use me however you please. You know that, right?
If you want me to bend over and present for you, I’m willing, anywhere, anytime.
Just…don’t ghost me again. I didn’t like it.
Huodou: All right.
RedHotLover: Really? You’re the best! I love you!
* * *
RedHotLover: What’s going on with your cousin?
Huodou: What do you mean?
RedHotLover: Haven’t you heard the gossip? He’s been seen with this new guy.
Huodou: Who?
RedHotLover: His name is Phoenix Monroe. He’s rooming with Grady this year.
Huodou: Good for Lake. It’s about time he’s shown interest in someone other than West and Yejun.
RedHotLover: Yeah, about that. It’s not just Lake who’s shown an interest.
Huodou: Explain.
RedHotLover: You really need to pay more attention to your students' gossip. All three of them strolled into Café Soul and basically staked a public claim on Nix.
Huodou: Nix?
RedHotLover: That’s what Phoenix goes by. Nix.
Huodou: You know him?
RedHotLover: Grady has introduced us. He seems okay. Kind of reserved, but whatever. Honestly, after what happened with Iris last year, I’m shocked they’re letting anyone new close to them at all.
Huodou: There’s got to be more to this than meets the eye.
RedHotLover: I think they just like him?
RedHotLover: Beck?
RedHotLover: You still there?
RedHotLove: Hey, speaking of last year, you got rid of all traces of me and Juri having anything to do with that mess, right? You promised you would. Juri was misguided, but he’s a Legacy. He doesn’t deserve to be expelled like she was.
Huodou: It’s been taken care of.
RedHotLover: Oh good. Thanks. You were totally right about that. Nothing happened. They just messed with her a bit and then kicked her off campus. When I found out about Rase, I was worried for a second.
Huodou: About Iris Cherith?
RedHotLover: She’s not a bad person.
Huodou: She’s dead.
RedHotLover: …What?!
RedHotLover: I’m coming over.
* * *
RedHotLover: I’m sorry I made you mad. Will you forgive me?
RedHotLover: Professor?
RedHotLover: Beck?
* * *
RedHotLover: I know what to do to make it up to you.
Huodou: What are you planning now?
RedHotLover: You’ll see.
* * *
RedHotLover: Lake bit him! He bit him, and he doesn’t even seem to like him that much!
RedHotLover: Beck, are you reading this? Your cousin bit Nix! With a claiming bite!
Huodou: I’ve heard.
RedHotLover: You’ve heard? That’s it?
Huodou: What else is there to say?
RedHotLover: Nix hates the Demons, but he got a claiming mark anyway. Meanwhile, I’m over here sucking your cock at the drop of a hat, and you won’t even let me call you my boyfriend. It’s not fair.
Huodou: If you’re feeling wronged, go find someone who will meet your expectations. I won’t stop you.
RedHotLover: That’s cruel.
Huodou: I’ve been honest with my feelings, Dew. You’ve always known what this was to me.
RedHotLover: I mean, sure, but I always just hoped one day…You won’t bite me? Ever?
Huodou: No. Not ever.
RedHotLover: You really are heartless, Beck Bardin.
* * *
RedHotLover: Did you hear?
RedHotLover: Rumor is Nix was caught cheating. Bet your perfect West is pissed. Guess you’re happy about it, huh?
Huodou: What’s there to be happy about?
RedHotLover: Nix is about to get kicked out. Probably beaten to a pulp first as well. What do you mean? Unless…you haven’t fallen for him too, have you?
Huodou: You’re being ridiculous again.
RedHotLover: That’s not a no. You can’t be serious? What, were you hoping they’d make you their Fifth or something? So you could finally be with your precious West?
Huodou: I honestly hadn’t considered it, but…That’s not an entirely bad idea. Thank you, Dew. Perhaps I’ve been going about this the wrong way.
RedHotLover: What?
RedHotLover: Don’t you dare.
RedHotLover: Beck, if you try and seduce Nix I’ll never forgive you!
Huodou: You just said he got caught being unfaithful, didn’t you? What’s there to worry about? There’s no way he’ll be forgiven for that, even with a claiming mark.
* * *
RedHotLover: They forgave him.
* * *
RedHotLover: Are you okay?
* * *
RedHotLover: I’m sorry you’re sad, Professor.
RedHotLover: I’ll make it better. I promise.
Huodou: I’m not in the mood right now, Dew.
RedHotLover: I know. Don’t worry. I don’t mean sex.
Huodou: What are you planning to do then?
Huodou: Dew?
Huodou: Dew, don’t do anything rash.
Huodou: I’m warning you. I’ll never forgive you if you do something foolish. If my relationship with West is compromised because of you, I’ll never see you again, do you understand?
Huodou: If you ruin things between West and me, we’re over. For good.
Huodou: Tell me what you’re up to.
Huodou: Don’t think I won’t kill you. Your life belongs to me.
Huodou: Damn it, Dew! Respond!
* * *
RedHotLover: I’m sorry, Professor.
Huodou: Dew.
RedHotLover: I messed up.
Huodou: I’m on my way to your dorm right now. The Demons are with me.
RedHotLover: Understood.
Huodou: What does that even mean? Dew. Tell me what’s going on. Did you do it? Why? And why were you so sloppy? They know it was you who switched the paintings. You better have a backup plan and one hell of an explanation.
RedHotLover: Don’t worry. I have a plan.
Huodou: Good.
RedHotLover: I can’t live in a world without you.
Huodou: What?
RedHotLover: You’re planning on leaving me once I’m caught, aren’t you?
RedHotLover: I’ve seen the way Yejun’s been acting since he found out Iris is dead. He can’t forget about her now. Ever. He even feels responsible.
Huodou: Dew. Don’t do anything stupid.
RedHotLover: It isn’t the same as love, but we both know I was never going to get that from you. At least this way, I’ll occupy a tiny piece of your heart, right?
Huodou: Dew, this is insane. Whatever you’re planning on doing, don’t. We can talk this through. I’ll protect you.
RedHotLover: From West?
RedHotLover: Your hesitation speaks volumes, Professor.
Huodou: It’s not what you think. I told you, I’m with them right now. They were talking to me and I didn’t get the chance to reply. That’s all. Dew, please.
RedHotLover: That’s the first time you’ve said please to me.
RedHotLover: That’s the best way to end it, actually. I want that to be the last thing I remember you saying to me. Please.
RedHotLover: Goodbye, Professor. I love you, Beck.
RedHotLover: Think of me always.
RedHotLover: 3 3 3
REDHOTLOVER HAS LEFT THE CHAT.