AN: A Stephen/Connor (from my Conphen!Verse, same as 'I'll keep you safe' ) Drabble. Set S1, explaining why Stephen acts the way he does.
AN 2: So, this is the first in a series of drabbles that happen either before or after the events of 'I'll keep you safe'. This takes place before, though the rest will likely be set afterwards.
"Professor Cutter!" Stephen felt like he'd been punched in the gut when he heard that voice. Three years, and he remembered his voice perfectly. It didn't hurt any less, the memory of opening his eyes that morning and hearing the door clicking shut going 'round in his mind.
He really couldn't be blamed for the snicker when the kid dropped all of his things, right? Or for merely following the oblivious Nick Cutter in continuing on towards the Professor's office, right? Clearly Connor didn't recognize him as easily as he had, and clearly he didn't actually want anything to do with Stephen.
So Stephen pretended he didn't recognize Connor, and acted indifferent instead of fond towards the younger man when he tripped over his own feet in his eagerness to help out. Amused rather than impressed, when Connor proved his worth. Dissaproving rather than terrified when the dark-haired young man nearly got himself killed.
But what else could he do?