"Morning Hermann," Newton said inattentively before actually looking at him and gesturing, "Oh hey, new jacket."

"My usual one's in the wash," Hermann replied as he entered the lab.

"You look nice," he said casually, returning to his work. Hermann stood still and gawked blankly.

"Thank you," Hermann said stiffly, before walking over to his vast chalkboards. He was a bit baffled at Newton's praise. He caught himself staring at his lab partner, trying to remember if Newton had ever complimented him on anything. Perhaps it was the familiarity of being stuck in the same work environment year after year with the same person. He looked down at his jacket. It was one of his nicer ones and fit him rather well. It was difficult to read Newton's offhand remarks. Perhaps it was just his way. But what if he was dressed so well as to receive a genuine compliment from Newton? I'd knock his bloody socks off. Hair slicked back, a well tailored suit that hugged his body, maybe a splash of cologne. That'd show that Kaiju-covered ragamuffin punk! Maybe I'd walk into the lab…without my cane. No, no, that's never bothered him. I don't think he'd mind the cane…I'll give him that. It's part of me and I suppose he has always been respectful of it. So, I'd walk into the lab…

"Wow, Hermann, you going on a date or something?" Newton's mouth was hanging open.

"No," Hermann said, nonchalant. He walked over to Newton as smoothly as he was able, keeping his eyes locked with Newton's. He advanced. Newton began to breath harder, his chest rising and falling, his eyes raking Hermann over. He took off his gloves and licked his lips in the manner he always did when nervous. Herman made his intentions clear. And it was his intention to reduce Newton to a love-struck, weak-kneed mess. He had succeeded. This was after all, a total fantasy.

"God, you look sexy," Newton said, his voice deeper and softer than usual. Hermann groaned internally. Yes, please, tell me I'm sexy. I'd give anything for him to tell me I'm sexy. Hermann was very close to him now, practically touching him. He was in control, standing over him, making Newton beautifully nervous.

"Did you, ugh, dress this way for me?"

"Yes, I dressed this way for you, you ego maniac," Hermann said lustfully, throwing Newton's left arm over his right shoulder, dipping him into a kiss. He supported them both by relying mostly on his cane. Newton clung to him tightly. I'd kiss him until he couldn't breathe. Hermann acted out that thought in his head with great enthusiasm, mapping Newton's mouth with his tongue until he heard him moan with pleasure...

"Oh, this is ridiculous!" Newton glanced up, something disgusting dripping from his hands.

"What is?"

"Oh nothing, just a hypothesis," Hermann said, shaking his head sadly.

A dip kiss? How juvenile, Dr. Gottlieb. How utterly laughable. How…romantic. He sighed with a mixture of self-loathing and desperate longing. Bloody hell, I'm living in a nightmare. I must focus on my equations. His chalk snapped out from under him and he threw the bit that was still in his hand as far across the room as he could possibly hurl it.

"The day's only just begun and the chalk flinging has already started," Newton said sarcastically, with half a grin on his face.

"Oh belt up, Geiszler." Newton laughed. Hermann grumbled under his breath. When Newton left the lab a few minutes later, Hermann clunked his head onto the chalkboard and closed his eyes. How am I ever going to put an end to this nonsense? This affliction is worse than a computer virus. Why should I fancy someone so unsuitable? Perhaps he isn't.