Ian smiled at the older man, flattered at his words and his tone, and a fleeting thought passed through his mind - could he possibly fancy me? But he put it down to wishful thinking on his part. "Students have irrational thoughts, it comes with the territory," he said thoughtfully, "and maybe it's the subject and not me, but he projects it onto me? I don't really know, to be honest." He cocked his head, regarding Alexander carefully.