Unedited. Sorry for the short chapters lately.

Part XV

Gally dropped off books at their dorm later that day. He went through each of them, explaining their specialties, marked off chapters he felt would help them the best then told them to return the books once they were well versed in the ways of aftercare. Thomas didn't have the heart told tell him they wouldn't need the books, especially since personal time for such activities would no longer be available, but Newt took the books the moment Gally brought them in.

"Thank you Gally. If I had known, I'd have come to you sooner."

"Yeah well," the younger male rubbed his neck modestly, taken aback by Newt's genuine praise. He mumbled a response, punched Thomas on the arm for normalcy then hurried out of the dorm before Minho could retaliate.

Thomas rubbed his bicep, a small smile on his lips.

He made Newt and Minho take their studies seriously. Jason's assignments were the same as ever; they were unnecessarily long, tedious and cruelly tricky. Thomas kept his promise in tutoring them. He helped out whenever they got stuck and checked over their homework three times before giving them the pass.

He kept an eye on Janson's reactions when they turned in their assignments. Thomas tore the skin on his lower lip absentmindedly, watching their professor skim through Newt's assignments with precision – no doubt on the search for anything amiss. Thomas allowed himself a fleeting moment of complacency. This assignment should be graded higher than Newt's average. Thomas triple checked everything his boyfriend did, and yet, he couldn't fight the irritation of knowing Janson would find absolutely anything to take points off.

Janson didn't say a word about the assignments throughout their class period. And as they packed up to go, he didn't call them to stay behind.

Thomas took that as a sign of victory.

He joined them in the hall, heaving a sigh of relief once they were far enough away from the classroom and their professor's prying eyes.

"Did you see the look on that shanks face? He looked so impressed with Newt's work like Newt doesn't pour his heart and soul into everything Rat Man gives him." Minho scoffed. "I bet he probably thinks we're cheating off of Thomas! Because there's "no way" Newt could possibly do well on homework on his own." The runner rolled his eyes, his expression contorting into disgust.

Thomas gnawed at his bottom lip, ignoring the worried glance Newt sent his way. "I'm really sorry guys. If I hadn't said anything about us dating – "

"It's not your fault Tommy." Newt consoled, rubbing the younger male's shoulder affectionately. "Rat Man's being a git. His concern on what we do on our free time is unacceptable and an invasion of privacy."

"And the dickest move in the history of assholedom." Minho grumbled. "He's a shucking shuck faced shucked shank."

The duo chuckled.

"I have no idea what you just said Min, but it sounded hilarious."

"Glad I can amuse you, Tommy." He threw his arms around his boyfriends and gave them a smug grin. "We should celebrate our temporary victory with a date!"

"Minho," Newt sighed, though the corners of his lips threatened to upturn into a smile.

Thomas shook his head.

"No way, we can't fool around yet. This is only just the beginning, Min. We have to stay focused."

The track star groaned in disappointment, the pout on his face adorable. He looked like a depressed puppy denied treats despite his good behavior.

Newt and Thomas could only laugh.

A weak into their streak of good grades, Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. Janson had yet to call either of them up or called them out for cheating. He hadn't congratulated them for their turn around, but Thomas doubted the man would sink so low as to be an actual good person for once. It seemed like Janson didn't plan on failing his boyfriends after all.

"The final will be an accumulative of everything you learned since the start of the semester," Janson explained. He turned to his students, setting down the marker with an unnecessarily loud tap against his desk. "I want your term papers on my desk next Monday morning. All late assignments will be promptly tossed into the trash. If you even think about asking for an extension, I am here to tell you that you are wasting your time as well as mine. No late extensions will be given. I do not care if you are sick or dying or have other things to do – give me your term paper by Monday morning or fail my class. Those of you already in danger of failing my class, the final is your last chance. Do not beg for extra credit, you will not be given one. Study well children."

Among the loud rustle of students scrambling to gather their things, Thomas caught Janon spare him a glance.

His heart froze.

"Thomas, Mr. Sangster, Lee, if you three would please stay behind?"

Shit. Thomas tensed. He stole a glance his boyfriends' way, anxiety already bubbling in his stomach. Newt and Minho were barely composed, their own nerves and irritation fighting for dominance beneath their skin.

They remained in their seats as their classmates trickled away. Minho watched them forlornly, even going so far as to jokingly grab Gally's wrist to keep him from leaving, but the younger boy jerked away with a scowl. The track star snickered, his amusement short lived. Once Gally shut the door behind him, Janson gave the trio an amiable smile.

He leaned against his desk, arms crossed, body relaxed. His blue eyes seemed to sparkle in a way that made Thomas feel as though Rat Man were enjoying their restless silence.

Something dark coiled in the pit of Thomas' chest.

"The improvement I saw in the last few days have been absolutely astounding. IJ must say, I am impressed."

The trio tensed, each of them at the edge of their seats.

Janson reached across his desk for his bag. He dug out papers from the dark depths and tossed them carelessly to the first empty desk he could reach. Neither of them moved to inspect the sheets.

"But of course, I knew it was too good to be true." He chuckled. "I know you boys are roommates – among other things – but I will have you know, bullying will not be tolerated in my classroom."

Minho jerked to his feet, knuckles pale against his taunt skin.

"B-bullying?!" He gaped. "What kind of klunk nonsense you spewing professor?"

"Minho!" Newt hissed.

Janson's lips stretched thin in displeasure.

"Mr. Lee, I will not tolerate such disrespect in my classroom."

"With all due respect Professor Janson," Newt began. "But are you implying that Minho and I are using Thomas to cheat for a high grade? Because the truth is, he's been tutoring us, not cheating for us."

"Mr. Sangster, you will not speak out of turn."

Thomas rose to his feet, outrage boiling his blood. Newt moved to Minho's side before the track stare could jump their despicable professor in a fit of blind rage.

"Professor, Newt is telling you the truth. I've been helping them with their homework. Everything they've handed in is 100% their work. All I've done is correct their mistakes."

Janson watched him, cerulean eyes penetrating his very being. Thomas kept his expression cool despite his heart hammering against his chest. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to shrivel beneath the man's hard gaze, but pride and rage kept his resolve firm. He refused to give Rat Man the satisfaction of superiority.

The man gave a little hum before shrugging.

"I'm not sure if I believe you Thomas. You're always trying to look out for them."

Minho's expression contorted into indignation, his hatred rolling off him in waves, but Newt held on. He kept him in place, his knuckles ghostly white against the older male's bicep.

Thomas licked his lips. His teeth gnawed his bottom lip.

"Okay. Let's—let's make a deal I'll sign up for your program next semester if you don't report us for cheating. Newt and Minho will maintain their work ethic, I promise. Do we have a deal?"

"Almost. Next semester, you will request a form exchange to prevent any more distractions. Are we clear?"

"What?! You-!"

"Minho!" Newt hissed harshly, his face pinched.

Minho swallowed the rest of his curse, but he shot Janson a murderous look. What little respect hehad for the man – if any at all – went straight out the window.

Thomas swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Okay. Deal."

Janson smiled genially. "Great. Then we're done here. Thomas, please stop by my office tomorrow to receive the paperwork." He turned on his heel, gathered his supplies and bid the boys a good day.

Minho kicked an empty desk in rage.

Thanks for reading! :)