arcane oneshots (x reader) ❦

the affectionate man is never loved; claggor

• this isn't really a love story, more of a -how exactly do i put this- learning story. basically, to summarize, claggor learns a thing or two about love, in which he receives some advice from a man wise beyond his years: his history teacher, mr. bagshaw. also, side note, this is a school au as if that wasn't obvious

•••

it was a quiet day in small town america, where claggor nervously picked at his nails. it was barely over an hour past noon, meaning he was in his second to last period of the day: AP chemistry. his past teachers and relatives had urged him to take honors classes, and, not knowing how to say "no," the boy found himself in a class he could not enjoy. the teacher often gotten on his nerves, always giving extra work that was always unnecessary.

claggor couldn't help but wish he was in his first period. history. his teacher was amazing, mr. bagshaw, a bald man with a long beard that always wore the silliest outfits. he showed up with a goofy smile each day, even on his worst days. claggor loved him, hell, everyone did. but mr. bagshaw seemed to have a soft spot for claggor, often allowing claggor to eat lunch with him in his room and always welcoming him in between classes to say hello. he knew all about his drama, whether it was the new book he was reading or the girl claggor found himself staring at whenever possible. come to think of it, that pretty girl was probably the reason his grades had been slipping.

the pretty girl was called y/n, and had unique features that boys admired and girls became jealous of. that was probably why you didn't have many friends, becoming used to only sitting with a few girls who not-so-secretly hated her. she only really had one real friend, her best friend, who she had every class with. the two were always seen together. when you were with her, there was always a smile on your face. claggor found himself smiling when he saw you. you're always silly, an optimist at heart. you always showed the new students around, always smiling at everyone. everyone made fun of you for your excited attitude and pep in your step, but you couldn't really care less. "let them hate," you had told claggor when he tried to defend you after a group of girls made fun of your cute handwriting. "they're just jealous." ever since that short interaction, you would often wave at him in the hallway, greeting him and anyone else you knew the name of.

claggor was shaken out of his thoughts when the bell rang, signifying that it was fifth period. claggor took his things, rushing out of science and practically running into spanish; the class he had with you. you sat at his table, right across from him. this was his favorite class, along with history -of course- and english, the only other class he had with you. you were most hated in that class, but we're also the most outspoken and confident in there. claggor wasn't sure why, but he has a feeling he would find out some day.

he entered spanish to find you standing near another table, frowning as you watched the five girls next to you laugh about some boys they wouldn't tell you the names of. they all used code names for them, and, when you asked for their names, they faked a smile, glancing at each other before laughing uncontrollably. you felt sick around them, deciding to go back to your seat with a sigh. you hadn't realized claggor was behind you, watching everything go down, a frown apparent on his lips.

he waited a few moments before taking his seat across from you, your frown immediately dissipating which he found surprising. "oh, hi, claggor! how has your day been?" you asked cheerfully, putting on a big smile as you chewed on some peppermint gum.

"pretty good, how about you?"

"oh, let's not talk about me. have you seen the flyers around the school?"

claggor hesitated before shaking his head. you continued, "apparently there's going to be a dance in a few weeks." as you said that, a large group of students entered that hushed you up quickly. they were the main group that made fun of you, sitting at your table and the table behind you. "um, are you going to the dance?" you asked with a slight smile, taking out the daily bellringer paper from your binder.

claggor did the same, both of you freezing when you heard laughter around you. "you asking him to the dance?" one laughed out, others following with remarks. you didn't respond, a light pink blush coating your cheeks in embarrassment as your eyes trailed down.

here's your chance, claggor told himself, be cool.

"are you going?" claggor asked, to which you nodded hesitantly at. "we should go together," he smirked, hiding his fear.

your head shot up, eyes wide in surprise, face pale and blush disappearing immediately. "oh, uh," you mumbled, feeling bad as the boy's smirk disappeared. the people around the two of you burst into laughter, the boy beside claggor holding his shoulder for support as a tear left his eye.

the man wiped his eye, "phew! oh, man, you sure are something. you think she would ask you out?" the guy said with a smirk, glancing at you. "i mean, she's hot, and you're . . . you're a nerd!" he and his friends burst into laughter all over again.

"you . . . you meant as friends, right, claggor?" you asked hesitantly, face paler than usual.

"it doesn't matter," claggor murmured.

•••

fifth period had just ended and most students had left the cramped school. claggor strolled into mr. bagshaw's room with a sad frown.

"oh, what's up, claggor?" the man asked as claggor entered his room, setting aside his work for the moment.

claggor gulped before speaking, "i just can't stop asking myself . . . why do i and everyone we love pick people who treat us like we're nothing?"

the teacher didn't even hesitate before responding, "we accept the love we think we deserve."