Best friends. Colleagues. That’s what anthropology and archaeology professors Emma and Killian have been to each other for years, but sometimes old definitions and practices need to be revisited.
This is my contribution to the CSLB, and I’m so excited to share it with you all. This was definitely a labor of love for me. I’m also a big fan of the art @treluna2 did for this. And such a massive thanks to my glorious beta reader, @sambethe, without whom this would be just a silly heap of words.
8900+ words, rated M. Warnings include mentions of past relationships, alcohol consumption, and mild sexual content. On AO3.
(Background relationships include Outlaw Queen and Red Beauty.)
Emma pulled the two beers from her fridge, the glass from the bottles clinking together before she handed one to Killian. He was slumped into the cushions of her couch, head resting against its back.
“Thanks, love,” he said, cracking open one eye to peer up at her.
She plopped down next to him, giving him a look over. He was obviously exhausted, the skin below his eyes a little two purple and a small line was etched down his brow.
Exhaustion aside, though, he looked well. He was freshly back–as in had driven back into town less than 24 hours before–from directing field school this summer, and his work showed in his deep tan and well-defined muscles. Not that he was flabby in May, but a summer surveying and digging did a body good.
Ah, the beginning of the fall semester was always a grand time. Everyone was in peak condition from their summer field work and looked amazing, and while she and Killian might just be friends and colleagues, she still had eyes.
It All Starts With a Dance 