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It’s hard to say when this whole rumor started. It could have been sparked by an argument over extracurricular funds, a poorly timed bit of affectionate bullying, or even from the simple fact that Salem is the theater director and Adam is the head coach and therefore by high school law they should hate each other. Nonetheless it’s a fairly common thing to be whispered about in the school halls.
“Don’t bring up Mx. Lyons in Mr.Du Mortain’s class unless you want a lecture.”
“I’m surprised Mx. Lyons hasn’t just lost it and decked Mr.Du Mortain already, he’s such a hardass.”
“I don’t see what Mx. Lyons’ issue with Mr.Du Mortain is? He’s strict for sure but he isn’t a bad dude.”
Were any of them more observant though, they would find cracks in their perception. The way Du Mortain gets a flush at the back of his neck whenever Salem looks at him. The way Lyons’ eyes get a softness to them when Adam walks in the room.
Mr. Hauville, one of the few who are in the know, finds the whole situation hilarious. Salem finds themself agreeing on most days, while Adam seems as unaware of the rumors as those who spread them are of the truth. Which is to say, completely oblivious.
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Salem wakes to lips pressed against their shoulder and the soft brush of their husband’s breath at their nape. A soft grin works it’s way across their face as they come to consciousness wrapped in the arms of their love. A glance at the clock on the nightstand shows that they’ve woken up at 4:53, just a few minutes before Adam’s alarm. An impressive feat considering they usually sleep past their own 6:30 alarm in favor of running out the door last minute. Salem shifts a bit, making to get up only to be pulled tighter against Adam’s chest.
“And where do you think you’re going so early Beloved?” Adam’s voice is raspy and low from sleep and Salem can feel it in their own chest from where their torsos are pressed flush against each other.
“Is it illegal for me to be up before you Love?” Salem can feel Adam’s smirk against their shoulder. “No, but it does leave me curious as to why.” Salem shifts again and Adam loosens his hold enough for them to turn to face him. Adam’s eyes flick towards Salem’s lips as they speak, “My sleep schedule is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you Love, but perhaps on a day like today I can be persuaded to align mine with yours.” Adam smiles, wide enough to show his dimples and oh does Salem’s heart skip just the same as it had the first time they were graced with one of these rare grins. He presses a chaste kiss to their lips lingering for just a second after with their noses barely brushing against each other, before getting out of bed. He offers a hand that Salem gladly takes, and pulls them to their feet and into his arms once more. “Happy Anniversary Beloved.” Adam whispers in their ear.
They proceed, still pressed against each other, out of their bedroom and start to ready themselves for the day. As much as they’d both love to stay in bed a while longer, their anniversary falls on a school day this year. Adam has a lacrosse team to coach, Salem has a play to direct, and they both have classes to teach.
Salem falls easily into Adam’s morning routine, though they decline to join him on his run. “I’d just slow you down, and I know how important it is for you to get your full run in before school.” They welcome him back afterwards with a joint shower and a full breakfast before starting the short walk to the school.
Salem was convinced it was fate when they found an apartment that was less than a 20 minute walk to the school where they both had gotten jobs. Adam was less inclined to believe so, but went along with it because it made Salem happy. Normally he made this walk alone, and it was always pleasant enough, but walking hand in hand with his spouse always made things more interesting.
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Salem has mentioned their “Beau” before to students, but nothing more than vague anecdotes.Some students with overactive imaginations occasionally liked to speculate on what their “Beau” was like. So far they pieced together that Beau was a romantic (“He brought me a bouquet of roses the other day and his excuse was ‘Because you deserve it,’ the sap”) he was an early riser and an exercise nut, (“Uggggh he woke me at 5am today to once again try to convince me to go on a run again.”), and he made Mx. Lyons happy, (“Mx. Lyons? What’s that grin about?” “What? Oh sorry the Beau said he was making my favorite for dinner.”)
Adam on the other hand refuses to talk to students about his life out of school and wears his ring on a necklace to keep it safe, so most believe him to be single. A few teachers who aren’t in the know about his marital status have tried to come on to him but all have been shut down pretty much immediately.
Salem makes it to third period before Mr. Hauville, their dear friend and the school’s art teacher, corners them in the teacher’s lounge. “So~ I saw a certain pair of lovebirds walking onto the school property holding hands today. So scandalous!” He feigns surprise and presses a hand to his chest. Salem tries to suppress their blush and gently smacks Felix’s shoulder. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I hate his guts.” They say, a huge grin giving away their lie.
Felix sticks his tongue out at them and wraps and arm around their soldier “I cannot believe that people haven’t caught on to the fact that you and Adam are together. You two are both huge saps, how has no one caught on?” Salem chuckles “Beats me babe, we aren’t hiding it or anything but you know what Adam is like.” Salem ducks out from Felix’s arm and darts towards the door. “Anyway, I gotta go be in my room by lunch for my gaggle of queer kids.” Felix waves them off and turns back to their own lunch.
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Salem’s ‘gaggle’ consists mainly of theater kids, gsa kids, and neurodivergent kids, many of them falling into multiple categories. Salem lets them eat their lunches in their classroom that has been lined with quotes from prevalent queer authors. They’ve prided themself on making their classroom feel safe and welcoming, so it’s no surprise some of their students have made it their haven during passing periods.
They arrive back just as Sierra, the head of the student tech crew, knocks on the door for entry. “Hey Mx Lyons! Was wondering where you went.” Salem laughs as they open the door to let them both inside. “Despite what some of you may believe, I don’t live in my classroom, nor do I keep my lunches there, nor does it have the means to heat them.” Sierra rolls her eyes and takes a seat as a few other students pour into the room and situate themselves as well with various calls of “Hey Mx. Lyons!”
“What do you have for lunch today teach?” Jackson, the current male lead of the school play asks. “Today my kidlets, I have spicy lime chicken, oven baked potato wedges, green beans all made by the Beau last night and reheated in the crappy school microwave, and a cosmic brownie cause I am a child.” The kids laughed at their teacher’s antics and one asked “How long have you and the Beau been together anyway?” Salem’s smile turns soft, “Actually today’s our third anniversary, we have plans to spend the weekend out together since we both are too busy during the week.” Iris, the group's resident romantic, lets out a sigh with stars in her eyes. “Do you think he’s gonna propose?”
Salem snorts, “Let me clarify, today's our third wedding anniversary, if he proposes I’d be very confused.” Jackson slams his hands down on the desk in front of him. “You’ve been married this whole time?” Salem gives them all a shrug, “I haven’t hidden that, I mean I wear a wedding band and everything.” They flash the simple silver band they wear, alongside several others.
That’s when Adam himself walks in, his eyes down on the papers in his hands, “Salem-” He cuts himself off as he looks up and notices the crowd of students in his spouse’s classroom. “Ah, you’re busy, I'll come back later.” Salem gets up from their desk and stops him. “It’s fine, if it’s private we can step out for a moment.” They glance at their students telling them “Don’t break anything, we’ll be right outside if anyone starts bleeding.” before leading Adam outside.
“What can I do ya for Mr.Du Mortain?” They ask, turning to face Adam as soon as the door closed. Adam coughs into his fist before starting, “It wasn’t so important that it couldn’t wait, I simply wanted to give you this.” He offers them a sticky note, “It must have fallen out of your lunch in the teacher’s lounge.” Salem take the note and flips it over, on it in Adam’s neat handwriting is written
“Even though we work in the same building my heart still yearns for you while we’re apart. - Adam”
Salem suppresses a grin, “You know if you give me things like this Mr.Du Mortain people are gonna get ideas about our relationship.” Adam quirks an eyebrow. “I don’t see how giving my spouse a note meant for them would give anyone ‘ideas’?” Salem fully grins at him now. “You’d be correct if anyone knew we were married, alas I’m fairly certain most people think we hate each other if past conversations are anything to go by.”
Adam fully frowns at this, “Nate, Felix, and Mason were at our wedding,” he says, taking Salem’s hand and pulling it to rest over his heart, “and I don’t see how anyone could miss how the whole world seems to shift whenever I see you.” Salem is fully blushing and using their free hand to cover their face. “Adam!” They say, their voice several pitches higher than usual, “You can’t just say things like that I will fully pass away.” Adam pulls Salem’s hand higher and presses a kiss to it. “I simply can’t help myself when it gets such a reaction from you my dear.”
The moment is ruined when a crash is heard from Salem’s classroom. The teachers rush over and fling the door open to see several students collapsed on the floor right behind the door. “Are y’all okay?” Salem tries to ask, only to be interrupted by Sierra shouting. “Are you two together!?” Salem sighs, “I guess the jig is up.” They gesture to Adam. “Everyone, this is the Beau, my husband Adam.”
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It doesn’t take long for the students to spread that revelation to the whole school.
“Did you hear, apparently Mx. Lyons and Mr.Du Mortain have been married this whole time .”
“They said they saw Mr.Du Mortain smiling and that Mx.Lyons was fully red in the face over whatever he said.”
“Honestly they make a pretty cute couple, the sports coach and the head of the theater department, kinda star crossed ya know?”