To Lyger 0: Definitely not pleasant
"Can you believe we're actually in University together?"
Dietrich glanced down at Greta and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, guiding the way across the busy quad, filled with their new classmates moving from building to building. Although the schoolyear was still so young – only a couple days since classes had started – already it seemed like the campus was bustling with activity. Glancing around the area, Dietrich could pick out a handful of people he recognized: their classmates from Gymnasium, a few people he had met in his classes, even a couple who had graduated Gymnasium a year or two before them. How different things seemed now than even just a few months ago. "There are a lot of things I can hardly believe," he replied, smiling at Greta. "Honestly, the fact that we both ended up at the same university is the least of them!"
Greta leaned into his side, holding his arm with her free hand, and rested her cheek against his shoulder. Her cheeks took on a light dusting of pink, and she looked away toward the main campus building on the far side of the quad where both of their first classes of the day would be. "Still, it is nice that things line up so well. As opposed to us needing to find an apartment further from campus, or not being able to commute together."
"I know," he agreed, nodding. "That will make things easier, once it happens."
She hummed meaningfully, quirking an eyebrow at him, a mirthful glint in her eye.
Dietrich smiled tenderly, looking down at her. How had they gotten to this point, and in just these few short months? A year ago, they had been friends – best friends, of course, but friends nonetheless. He hadn't really thought of her as anything more than a close friend, someone who was always there for him, who always helped and supported him, with whom he enjoyed spending time. It had never even occurred to him that she might want something more than friendship with him – especially knowing what his grandfather had been. But back in the spring, she had somehow found her voice clearly enough to ask him out on a date… and that had been the end for him. He had gotten lost in her as soon as it all had come out. Finding out that she was in love with him, and later on discovering that she was the partner whom he trusted to watch his back and whom he had tried to keep safe from the Tarasque, that had only confirmed just how special she was, how important she was to him. She accepted him for who he was. She knew everything about him, but she still loved him. Looking down at the ring on her finger, his smile widened.
How had he won the lottery that this incredible woman loved him?
"It was nice of your dad to give us a ride today," she mused, looking off into the distance. "Even if my first class isn't until ten."
He nodded ruefully. "Mine, too. But Father has paperwork to fill out for the grant review committee this morning. And one of his Ph.D. students insisted on meeting as early as possible." He shrugged. "Better too early than too late. This way, we can sit in the quad for a couple hours until it's time."
"Oh, I understand," she assured him. "And I absolutely want a little extra time with you… But still, it would have been nice to sleep in a little more."
He hummed in agreement. "Are you saying I need to look into actually getting a car so we can drive on our own?"
She quirked an eyebrow. "That's one option…" she began, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Although we could also just rent an apartment closer to campus now, so we don't have to commute."
Dietrich swallowed, looking down at her. "Well, we only have a couple of months left to wait until the wedding…"
"Oh, I know." She nodded. "And, considering that we're getting married in just a couple of months, it would only make sense for us to start hunting for an apartment now," she pointed out, giving him a too-innocent look. "That way we wouldn't have to ride in with your dad – when it works with our schedules. And we'd have somewhere other than the library to go between classes. And if something were to happen in the city, we would already be nearby to respond to it. And we'd be in a more central location for when we're going out on patrols. And the other part of the night would be so much better, too…" she purred, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.
He could feel heat rising in his cheeks. "Um…" he coughed, clearing his throat. "I mean, if you want to go and look for our apartment this weekend, sign the rental agreement, move in there before the wedding… That could be a good option – especially if it means you're closer to the center of the city if something happens. I don't have anything going on this weekend, so I can come with you to look; I'll even help you pay for it if you can't afford it on your own." He frowned, looking away. "But I don't really need to live so close to campus – at least this semester. Most days, my schedule lines up pretty well with Father's, so it's not such a problem for me to ride with him. Besides," he added, giving her a meaningful look, "it's not all that hard to just fly. The nights are just as clear flying from home as starting here."
Greta gave him a deadpan look. "You know that's not what I meant."
He smirked, stopping and turning to face her, leaning in close. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I know what you meant," he answered, lifting her hand to his lips. "But I'd rather do this the right way. And you're absolutely worth waiting for."
Her cheeks reddened, but nevertheless she folded her arms and stuck her lips out in a pout. "You're no fun."