everyone: Newer chapters will probably be taking this newer rate from now on, 2-3 days between rather than a single day. I have many other responsibilities now! Mainly a shit-ton of other fic that fell from the sky. But also a paper about communism. And things like that.
Arthur had stepped out of the bathroom just as Alfred was unlocking the door to his own room, so he'd waved him in. (He'd been, er, using the facilities, at least—Alfred imagines he probably wouldn't invite somebody in if they were sopping wet and only wearing a towel.) Alfred sat on the edge of his desk, brushing his small collection of syllabi away first, letting his sneakers rest on the chair he usually sat at. Arthur sat on the edge of T's bed, since it was directly across.
"Ehm… how've your classes been, and all that?"
Alfred shrugs. "None of 'em have really done anything yet. It's all like, here's the expectations, don't come late, mumble mumble, Alfred please wake up, blah blah—"
"You've fallen asleep in class already?" Arthur looked dumbfounded, which took Alfred by surprise. He was under the impression that college students fell asleep a lot… classes were big, right? That meant it'd be harder for teachers to care. Not like in high school.
"…no?" He tried.
Arthur just sighed, then actually took the effort to stand off T's bed, cross the (admittedly tiny) distance across the room, and pull on Alfred's ears.
"Ow ow ow hey—!"
"Don't! Sleep! In! Class!" He tugged and tugged until Alfred thought they might come off, then retreated and sat back down. Fuck, ow… "It's irresponsible. You've only just got here, try to look like you want to stick around, why don't you?"
Alfred whined a little, but nodded, agreeing. Geez. Arthur was worse than his parents. Worse than Matt.
Oh yeah, speaking of him—
"Hey, has my bro been hanging out with you guys?"
Arthur frowned slightly. "With Francis."
"How did they…"
"Believe me or not? On the bus."
Alfred burst out laughing. That sounds like exactly how Matt would meet somebody. "Oh god, he probably bumped into him…"
Arthur smiled a little sadly. "From what I understand, that's exactly correct."
"Well, good for Matty, then!" Alfred smiled, keeping up the optimism he was always so proud of. "He's a total stick-in-the-mud, or he was back home, but Francis seems pretty cool, maybe he'll grow out of it—"
"Don't talk like that!"
Alfred raised an eyebrow. But… it was true! And it was potentially a good thing! "Whatcha mean?"
"Ah." Arthur bit his lip, then stopped, like he was afraid to be caught. "That—that Francis is cool, I mean. As that's obviously… a lie."
"Pfft! Haha! I love you guys!"
Alfred caught a smile, a tiny one but a smile, from Arthur. "Yes, well."
xxxxxxxxxx
T came back before Arthur had left, so Arthur promptly stood and relocated to Alfred's bed. "Apologies."
"Uh, n-not at all. I mean, it's fine!" T tried to smile at him, dropped his bag on the ground quietly, and sat in the chair at his desk. "I'm Toris."
"Arthur, from down the hall."
"Ah… yes."
Arthur flopped down, stretching out on Alfred's bed. Dammit. "I expect you've heard Francis and me?"
Al cut in. "Francis and I."
"…no. Shut up."
T laughed a little, then immediately cut himself off. Mostly because Alfred chucked an empty water bottle at him, but uh. Still. "But, um. Yes! I have heard you two, that is… um… it's kind of hard not to, haha."
Arthur shrugs again. "S'how it is. Last year there was a complaint. Thought the bloody school'd get a hint and not tempt the Furies by sticking us together again, but there you are."
A phone beeped. "Ah!" T rooted through his bag and dug it out, pressed a couple buttons, and crashed backwards onto his bed. "Dammit…"
"Huh? What's up?" Al asked. Arthur seemed to be getting cozy on his pillows.
"Nothing, just this ex that won't stop bothering me…"
"Lemme help!" Alfred reached for the cell. T tried to scrabble forwards and take it, but Al just quickly hit the 'delete' button. "There! Don't worry, I didn't see the message or sender or nothin'. Now you can pretend it never happened, bud."
"…I guess." Didn't sound too enthusiastic, but Alfred knew the sentiment must be there.
"Heh. You're welcome!"
