T/W: Non-consensual adult/teen relationship, non-explicit descriptions of such.

A/N: This is the first of a three-part arc, focusing on one of my lesser acknowledged Warblers, Quint. The teacher in question is 25 and his face-claim is Ben Schwartz.

Chapter inspiration: I Think We're Alone Now (Tiffany)

It wasn't exactly normal that Dalton Academy went at least one day without some form of drama but it had been three weeks since the last major blowup, which involved a cheating scandal during the SATs. Already resolved and put to rest, private school life was just as boring as ever. But a new scandal was brewing. No one knew it yet.

"Mr. Carpenter?" Quint looked up from his text to Mr. Cross; he was really into the Shakespeare assignment. To say that the boys—at least the ones into guys—weren't crushing on the new English Literature teacher was an understatement. "Could you stay after class so we can review this D-minus essay?"

The redheaded boy looked embarrassed but nodded. "Yes, sir."

"I don't understand how your academics are worsening. You're a very bright young man." The young teacher turned back to the board, which had most of the class leaning out of their seats to check him out.

A moan made Quint look to his left. "You're sick," he muttered. Joel only winked. The bell rang then and everyone collected their belongings. "You need help."

"Oh, please, like you're innocent." Joel slung his bag over his shoulder. "'Quint and Tanner 4ever'?" The other blushed; Joel never really paid much attention to his surroundings but he saw the doodle Quint had made. "Later, loverboy. I never want this feeling to end/It took some time to find the light/But now I realize/I can see the heaven in your eyes..." He left the room, singing to himself.

Quint walked to the front of the room and took a seat at the desk right in front of Mr. Cross. "My mind's been everywhere lately, sir. My parents will pull me out if I don't get good grades, and Regionals are coming up, so the Warblers are rehearsing constantly." He fiddled with his hands nervously. "I'll do whatever it takes to stay here. I can't leave my friends. I don't want to go."

Mr. Cross sat and listened intently. He never wanted any of his students to fail, and he saw a lot of potential in Quint. "The last thing I want is for you to have to leave Dalton. I've seen the Warblers' Sectionals performance. You have quite the talent for classic rock." A light blush appeared on Quint's cheeks. "Listen, I have fourth period free. How about you take your study hall with me and we'll get your grades up?"

Quint felt a smile coming on and he nodded.

"So, Ed Sheeran... how's your boyfriend?" Joel called as Quint entered the rehearsal room. "OMG, Quint is like totes super lucky. Probably got to see how big Mr. Cr— Ow, hey!" He glared at Sebastian, who smacked him behind the head.

"It's the only way to shut you up. Now pay attention." The co-captain cleared his throat. "After careful deliberation, Hunter and I came up with a setlist based on the ideas from our last meeting. Joel and Nick duet on Joel's Prince mash-up of Controversy and I Wanna Be Your Lover." The two high-fived. "Quint leads on Strange Magic." The blush returned as Quint was clapped on the back by his teammates. "And the big group number, with myself, Hunt and Louis on lead, is Higher by Taio Cruz. Shockingly enough, this contemporary piece was Louis' idea."

Louis sat with a smug grin. "Don't get cocky, pipsqueak," Hunter called. "You got lucky, but if you ever, ever improv during a competition again, I'll kill you. And no one will be able to find the body." Sebastian shot his boyfriend a look. "He could've cost us the competition! Who the hell would have guessed one of the judges appreciated that song?"

"I feel so good if I just say the word

Su-Sussudio

Just say the word, oh

Su-Sussudio"

"Dude, stop." Quint shook his head, to murmurs of agreement from the rest of the room. "Please don't go off the plans, okay? We just got around to trusting you again." He held out his fist.

Louis sighed and bumped him. "Fine. No more Phil Collins." Quint's expression made him snicker. "No more surprises. I promise."

It was past curfew. After rehearsal, Quint had bumped into Mr. Cross, who offered to give him a private lesson in the study hall. The teenager had happily agreed and the next few hours were kind of fuzzy. Quint had accepted a soda that Mr. Cross retrieved from the mess hall. He remembered reading Rosencrantz and Mr. Cross, Guildenstern, who, for all intents and purposes, were being modernized as a couple. Then they were kissing. Quint had imagined this happening and he did want it, but it felt so wrong. He thought he tried to stop the older man but...

"Mr. Cross, this isn't right," Quint mumbled, trying to pull away. "You could get in a lot of trouble if anyone—"

The man took the teen by the chin and lifted his head up. "Then keep your mouth shut, kid. I know how you boys look at me. Don't pretend you haven't thought about this." He unbuttoned his shirt, and Quint swallowed hard. "I see Little Quint is very excited." Quint internally cursed his hormones.

...

Quint knew for a fact that he wasn't violated. His pants stayed on the whole time, but Mr. Cross—Sir, as he'd been instructed to refer to him—had stayed above the waist. That unsettling feeling stayed with him throughout, but Sir's touch was so gentle. Quint was a virgin but he didn't let on. He would often claim that he had a boyfriend back home in Chicago but that didn't stop the teasing, largely courtesy of Joel. It was common knowledge that Joel got around, and he didn't seem all that ashamed about it.

He was set up as roommates with Hunter, who was typically asleep by now. Hell, Quint could hear the snoring from the other side of the door. He opened the door as quietly as he could, got ready for bed and laid down, looking up at the darkness. Used to the snoring by now, Quint turned onto his side and fell asleep.