Bill was the only one Eve fully trusted to talk to about how her life was falling apart. He had seen the downfall of her marriage—he had even offered to give her a place to stay before she found her current flat—and now he was witnessing Eve's current crisis. She sat with her head in her hands, replaying the events of how the woman she had a one-night fling with was now her new teaching assistant.

"Eve, it's not the end of the world."

"Oh yeah, easy for you to say, Bill," she mumbled. "You're not the one who slept with their TA."

"To be fair, I wouldn't want to sleep with Kenny," Bill remarked.

Eve let out an exasperated laugh, and lifted her head to look at her colleague.

"Not even if it meant getting a leg up on Carolyn?"

"Please," Bill said, taking a bite of his lunch. "I'm charming on my own, no need to sleep with the department head's son."

Laughter bubbled out of Eve and she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Charm aside, what do I even do now?" Eve asked.

"Well, Eve, it's not like you plan on sleeping with her again."

Eve paused at what Bill said. She couldn't outright deny her attraction to Villanelle. Okay, lowkey obsession if she was going to actually address it. Instead she'd push that thought to the deepest part inside of her rather than being emotionally vulnerable with anyone, let alone herself.

"Besides, you're allowed to try new things post-divorce. It's written in the fine print," Bill said.

A sigh slipped past Eve's lips, grateful Bill hadn't pushed her on the lack of a response to his, hopefully, hypothetical statement.

"Oh you mean like risking my job by sleeping with someone I have to work with now?" Eve asked, opening her lunchbox.

"No. What I am saying is it's never too late to explore your sexuality, Eve," Bill said as he set his sandwich down.

"Bill," Eve paused, "I've already had that arc in college and accepted my bisexuality."

Silence settled over the two as Eve watched Bill process what she had just said.

"Eve, you sly dog, I had no idea you also were a friend of Dorthy," Bill said, nudging Eve's elbow.

"Can't believe it never came up before this," Eve mused.

In all honesty, Eve never felt the need to divulge she was bisexual. If people couldn't figure it out by the subtle comments she made then it wasn't her fault. And to be fair, as long as she'd known Bill, he'd only known her to be with Niko. It didn't surprise her too much that he didn't look too much past it–apart from a comment here and there when Eve was complaining about Niko–but especially now that outside of work he had his hands full with a newborn.

"I think that's something someone would mention when they've known each other for twenty-some years and also aware of their collleague being queer."

"I've literally talked about Rose Tyler as the cutest Doctor Who companion before at some dumb ice breaker thing. I thought it was obvious," Eve said, stabbing her fork into her prepackaged salad.

"Oh hog wash," Bill said. "Rose Tyler is everybody's safe companion answer for any question."

"She is not," Eve huffed, taking a bite of her salad.

"The obvious choice is Jack Harkness," Bill said.

Eve rolled her eyes. "We'll agree to disagree, Bill."

Bill waved his hand and picked up his sandwich again. "Regardless, you're sure you don't want to switch? Still plenty of time before the semester starts next week."

Eve mulled the suggestion over and seriously considered Bill's offer.

"And deal with Carolyn more than necessary? No thanks," Eve replied, causing both to laugh. The thought of avoiding the situation all together was appealing, but at the same time Eve couldn't talk herself out of it. Something in her gut told her to stick it out and that notion shook Eve to her core.

"What's she like then?" Bill asked, pulling Eve out of her thoughts.

"Sharp witted, irreverent, strategic, absolutely a workaholic. Maybe a little dry sometimes and you can't always tell where you stand with her."

"No you dick-swab," Bill laughed, "I'm far too familiar with what it's like to be around Carolyn. I meant your TA."

"Villanelle, right," Eve said. How would she describe Villanelle, Eve wondered. Beautiful, enticing, and mysterious were all applicable. Though those were obvious descriptions anybody could make about her, and Eve didn't feel like it fully captured Villanelle past a surface level.

"Delicate features," Eve said after a moment. "Inaccessible eyes, but overwhelming in every other way. An almost all consuming-like stare that makes you want to continue looking even when every warning sign of danger ahead zips past." She paused to take a bite of her salad to let her words settle. "Ridiculously sharp too, based on her at least being able to speak three languages fluently, and having an undergrad in linguistics with a minor in psych."

"Delicate features," Bill echoed.

"What?"

"Nothing, just not everyday someone describes their TA like that."

Before Eve could defend herself the alarm on her phone went off.

"Shit," she said, silencing her phone. "I forgot I had a meeting to get to."

"Is it a meeting with someone who has delicate features?" Bill asked, his eyebrows raising and a smirk on his face.

"What are you, my dad?" Eve jokingly responded as she quickly packed away the remainder of her lunch.

"Well first off, I'm not that old," Bill replied.

Eve rolled her eyes and zipped her lunch bag. She knew that her deflection was enough of an answer, but there was no way in hell she was going to answer regardless if she had to rush off or not. Before Bill could question her further, Eve gathered her things and beelined toward the door.

"I expect a full report on 'Miss Delicate Features' later, Eve," he hollered as Eve let Bill's office door shut behind her.


The psychology wing of the college was mostly empty today, and Eve couldn't be more grateful as she walked down the hallway toward her office. She wasn't too surprised the halls were barren moments before the start of the semester; Eve expected most students were using the last of their freedom from assignments to hang out with friends anywhere other than the academic buildings on campus. However, the silence on her walk did allow Eve time to compose herself before she met with Villanelle again.

As she approached her office door, bracing herself with a deep breath, she saw a familiar someone standing next to Villanelle.

"Dean Vasiliev," Eve said.

"Professor Polastri," he replied.

The two of them awkwardly stood near the office doorway for a beat before Eve cleared her throat.

"Congratulations on the tenure."

Eve nodded in response, unsure if he was genuine, and moved to grasp the office door handle to steady herself.

"The applicant pool was tough this time," he continued. "And I know the news came at a bad time bu–"

"Konstantin, don't be mean," Villanelle said.

Konstantin? How on Earth did these two know one another for Villanelle to be on a first-name basis, Eve thought.

"What?" Konstantin asked with a laugh. "Am I not allowed to congratulate one of the school's most dedicated professors?"

Villanelle's eyes narrowed as she swiped a bag from Konstantin's hand. "No," she simply replied.

Another laugh shook through Konstantin. "No, she says," he mimicked.

A nervous chuckle came out of Eve, her eyes darting between Konstantin and Villanelle, unsure of how to decipher the energy between the two.

"Professor Polastri," Villanelle said, exaggerating Eve's name. "Would you open the door so we can have our meeting?"

Eve scrambled for her keys, caught off guard by the sudden formality, and hurriedly unlocked the office. Villanelle smiled at Konstantin–Eve sensing the strain–as she took a step toward the office door.

"Bye, bye Konstantin," Villanelle said with a smile as she turned.

"Be careful with that one, Polastri," Konstantin said just loud enough for Eve to hear after Villanelle had walked into the office. "She'll easily worm her way into your life and make herself comfortable until it's too late."

Eve gulped, knowing it was too late for Konstnatin's advice.

"I'll keep that in mind," Eve said. The sound of the empty hallway rang in Eve's ears before it was broken by Konstantin's laugh.

"Good luck," he said with a wave.

Once Konstantin was past Eve she slipped into her office and leaned against the door.

"I quite like that placement."

Eve's head snapped over to where Villanelle stood, her blood chilled. She relaxed a little when she noticed Villanelle was looking at the small succulent display on the bookshelf and not how Eve was leaning against the door. Pull it together Polastri, Eve thought.

"So," Eve started, "How do you know Dean Vasiliev?"

"Hmm?" Villanelle said, turning to face Eve. She stepped away from the bookcase to move toward the office's couch, and a smirk appeared on her face while she stared at Eve. "This placement is nice too," she said, dismissing Eve's question, with her hand lingering on the couch.

It wouldn't take someone with a PhD–which Eve thankfully had–to figure out Villanelle's double entendre. Konstantin's words echoed in her head: she'll worm her way into your life. Eve repeated those words in her head and tried to ignore just how deep Villanelle had already gotten under skin.

"Dean Vasiliev," Eve repeated. "How do you know him?"

"Konstantin's a family friend," Villanelle said nonchalantly as she took a seat and tossed her bag on the coffee table.

"Oh," Eve replied. Of course she'd be family friends with one of the deans, Eve thought, just her luck.

"So," Villanelle said, crossing her legs. "What's the agenda for today, boss?"

A shiver went down Eve's spine when Villanelle emphasized the last word. Every ounce of professionalism in her body was slowly being drained by Villanelle, and Eve felt herself slowly being dragged to the edge.

An innocent smile spread on Villanelle's face as Eve took her time trying to think of a response. The longer she took to respond Eve knew Villanelle was enjoying this, and Eve couldn't let that happen regardless of the complications in their arrangement.

Eve composed herself, refusing to give Villanelle the satisfaction of seeing her unravel, and walked to the seat opposite Villanelle.

"Like we briefly discussed last time," Eve said as she opened the binder on the coffee table. "I'll mostly have you grading assignments and entering them into the gradebook since everything was planned around me teaching for the semester."

Villanelle nodded, and Eve pretended that she didn't notice how the blonde began to twirl her hair.

"If, at some point, you want to take over a lecture day feel free to send me an email and we can figure out what works best with the syllabus and your schedule," Eve said. She flipped one of the tabs in the binder, grabbed a slip of paper, and passed it to VIllanelle. "That syllabus has all the due dates and a timeline of what days will focus on what during the semester. I'll email you a copy of when I expect grades to be entered since this syllabus timeline is geared toward students in the class."

"Mhm," Villanelle said. Eve watched as she picked up the paper, glanced at it, and shoved it in her bag on the table. "Professor Polastri," she started, "tell me more about yourself."

"Villanelle," Eve warned.

"What?" Villanelle said as she faked innocence. "I promise I'll look it over tonight and be a good teaching assistant," she teased.

"Great," Eve said, not acknowledging Villanelle's statement, "I'll make sure to get you those gradebook dates tonight then."

"You didn't answer my question," Villanelle said with a pout. "How are we supposed to work well together if we don't know anything about each other?" Villanelle shifted her weight so she was now leaning forward, elbows resting on her knees.

Eve fought the urge to get up and leave her own office. How was she supposed to answer a question like that after they had already known each other in a physical way, Eve thought. The two of them could only dance around what had happened a few weeks ago without acknowledgement for so long.

"If I answer, can we act as if three weeks ago didn't happen?" Eve asked, making an attempt to address whatever was going on between them directly.

"Eve," Villanelle teased, dropping the pleasantries. "You hurt me." Eve scoffed as she watched Villanelle feign hurt and place her hand over her heart. "You expect me to forget a meeting like that?"

"I didn't quite expect you to show up again," Eve replied.

Villanelle's stare drilled right through Eve. Even if she wanted to get up Eve felt like she was held in place but had no plans of giving an inch.

"Fine," Villanelle said after a moment. Eve's eyes followed her as she stood up from the couch and walked to the bookcase again.

Triumph mixed with relief surged through Eve and she felt her head leveling out. However, that was instantly broken when she sensed Villanelle behind the chair. Eve's body tensed as Villanelle's hands settled on her shoulders in a firm, yet somehow gentle, grasp.

"Well then," Villanelle said, leaning in close to Eve's ear. "Professor Polastri, how long have you been teaching here?"

"About twenty-five years," Eve replied coolly. She was thankful Villanelle was behind her and couldn't see the flush that was surely on her face.

"Mmm," Villanelle hummed, her hands moving down Eve's shoulders to grip her arms. "Psychology the entire time?"

"Yes," Eve whispered. Her breath hitched when Villanelle changed her position so she was next to Eve, hands still on Eve's arms, and now pressed to Eve's side.

"Any other classes other than a basic intro class I'm helping with this semester?"

Eve's brain was clouded as she tried to recall all the classes she instructed over her years of teaching.

"There's been quite a few," Eve finally got out.

"Tell me your favorites," Villanelle said as she got down to be face level with Eve.

Now that she was close, Eve's nose was invaded by Villanelle's scent. Vanilla, Eve noted, but mixed with a musky leather-like note she couldn't quite place. The aroma wrapped itself around Eve, enveloping her in a pseudo hug, that she could easily get lost in. When she turned her head to look at Villanelle, their eyes locked like they had that night in the bar. The combination of whatever scent Villanelle was wearing and her confident stare was enough to make Eve feel dry in the mouth.

"Personality psychology," Eve said, surprised she was able to speak, "research methods, cross-cultural psy–"

Eve was cut off by a knock at the door. Villanelle didn't budge to remove herself from Eve's side until the door creaked open. In a swift movement Villanelle was now standing an appropriate distance behind Eve and her hands had shifted to the back of the chair. Eve's head snapped toward the door, seeing Hélène, the school's president, standing there.

"Professor Polastri and Oksana Astankova," Hélène said.

"Dr. Hélène," Eve said.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all," Villanelle smoothly said. "I was just about to head out actually. Got to get a head start on getting those syllabus dates in my calendar."

Eve watched as Villanelle quickly picked up her bag from the coffee table and turned toward Hélène.

"Don't forget to email me about the gradebook dates, Professor Polastri," Villanelle said as she innocently touched Eve's shoulder.

"Yeah," Eve said.

The two older women watched as Villanelle left with a wave.

"You two seem to be getting along," Hélène said after the office door closed.

"Oh, you have no idea."

"Well, I came to check in and congratulate you in person." Hélène said. "It's always so satisfying to see the tenured professors at the beginning for a check-in before the semester begins."

"Of course."

"I always find it especially important for newly tenured professors. A nice reminder, if you will, that even though you've passed there's still a probationary period."

The smile Hélène gave Eve was innocent enough, she thought, but Eve had known Hélène long enough over the years to sense the vague threat behind it.

"Absolutely," Eve responded.

"Are you okay, Professor Polastri? You seem out of it and look a little flushed," Hélène said.

"Oh, yeah," Eve shook her head, "I'm okay. Just rushing through a last minute change to the semester."

Hélène nodded, and Eve swore she saw a flash of something she couldn't pinpoint cross her eyes.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it then. If anything happens, don't hesitate to reach out," Hélène said, and with that she made her way to exit the office.

As soon as the door closed, Eve slumped in the chair. A whirlwind of emotions ran through her body that gave her emotional whiplash, and she let out a laugh. She was in for one hell of a semester, and Eve wasn't sure if she was going to survive it without some kind of casuality.


A/N: teehee i somehow finished this chapter early and couldn't wait to post it until tomorrow, so happy friday! i'm so excited to work on the next chapter because i have ~plans~ for it and a week off from work so owo LOL i still make no promises of weekly updates, and i have no idea who i am with all this writing i've been doing lately. killing eve has truly brain rotted me to the core.

also, in case anybody didn't know, "a friend of dorthy," is old gay slang for how gays would recognize each other before it was more accepted to be out. i wasn't sure if there was a uk equivalent when i was double checking, but figured bill would be worldly enough to use it lolol but it's absolutely fascinating gay history to look into if you're unfamiliar with it!

thanks again to agaywithcoffee for beta-ing this for me!

as always you can find me on tumblr under rainbowinbeigeboots also i've noticed that this website hasn't been totally functioning the past few days for me, so just in case you can also find this story on ao3 under the same penname!