A/N: I apologize in advance for this chapter. I am not pleased with it, it just seems to do nothing to further the story. However, I didn't want to simply jump into the next plot line without some sort of waiting chapter. I might end up editing or removing this...

I am also very sorry I kept you all waiting. A lot of things came up, and this chapter... I didn't know what to do with it. I hope you will continue to read and enjoy this story, even if this chapter is utterly pointless.

Chapter 11: Peace

Laurent spent his free time at school the same way he would spend it at home, by reading. The impressive library that the school boasted aided him in his pursuit nicely. It was enormous, well-kept and it smelled pleasantly of old books. Laurent couldn't keep himself away from such a room for too long, considering how much there was to see and how little time he had to see it. Not to mention, the library contained a huge collection of books that appealed to younger audiences, something that the library back at his home lacked.

During the free time when he wasn't exploring the library, he could usually be found sitting in his room, much to the exasperation of his roommate. Matthew just couldn't grasp the concept that sitting alone in a quiet setting could be something enjoyable. So, whenever he caught Laurent doing nothing in particular in their room, he would proceed to try to convince Laurent to come outside with him and "have fun."

However, the "fun" that Laurent tended to have was very different than the "fun" Matthew wanted him to have, even if he did succeed in leaving the building.

Sometimes, just to be smart, Laurent would bring the book he was currently reading outside with him and would proceeded to read after he was in the open air.

Other times, he'd wander aimlessly about the playground, watching as other children had their own fun.

Still other times, he'd try to strike up a conversation with Matthew about whatever thought happened to be on his mind.

As one could be well aware, this did not bode with Matthew very well.

"Come on, Laurent!" Matthew whined one afternoon, ignoring Laurent's question about a particular habit he had noticed in pigeons, "I try to make you have fun, but you won't do it! What sort of person hates fun? Why are you so odd?"

Laurent blinked, "If I hate fun, why do you follow me around like you do?" he asked, "There's a lot of other people to play with, you don't have to be around me."

It was Matthew's turn to blink, "Well… you're my roommate, so I want to be your friend," he said.

"I see," Laurent responded. They were silent for a few moments.

Matthew looked away, "Do you know any sports? Like football?"

"I don't really like football," Laurent responded. Then, before Matthew could say anything, Laurent continued, "Either kind."

Matthew frowned, "How about baseball? You're an American, right? You probably like baseball…"

"Not really, no."

"Cricket? I know it's a little like baseball, but perhaps…"

"No, I don't much like that, either."

"Well, there has to be something that you like!"

Laurent paused in thought, "Well… I do like tennis… I learned a bit over the summer. Do you play tennis?"

"No," Matthew replied.

Laurent frowned, "I thought so…"

"Perhaps you could teach me?"

"You want to learn?"

"If it will make you have fun!"

"I'm already having fun," Laurent said calmly.

"I mean real fun," Matthew whined.

Laurent sighed, "Okay, okay. Let's play… does this place have a tennis court?"

"I don't know…"

"Since you don't play, we'll need to find you need a racquet, too…" Laurent continued, turning around and walking back into the building without much warning.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Matthew called, chasing after him.

"Well, if I'm going to teach you tennis, I'm going to at least need my racquet, won't I?" he responded. He then paused, "…and my tennis balls…" he mumbled to himself, suddenly picking up the pace back to their room.

After a little while, they had managed to locate both the tennis courts and the sports equipment, and for many days, Laurent tried to teach Matthew how to play tennis. Matthew, however, happened to have pretty poor depth perception, so it took a long time before he even managed to hit the ball back. Laurent didn't mind it, though. It had been a little while since he had last taken up his racquet, and as long as Matthew wasn't whining at him, it seemed like a good way to spend his time.

After so many years of having Laurent around, Quillish had forgotten just how empty a house could feel. It was strange walking into the library and not seeing the little boy curled up in one of the chairs. It was odd seeing that his tennis racquet was missing from its usual place. However, the thing Quillish missed most was Laurent's constant questions. He liked answering them, but what was more fun was noticing what sorts of things were on the boy's mind. He thought a lot for a child his age. Now, he was lucky to have one of the housekeepers ask him the location of some cleaning supplies.

One afternoon, Quillish was busying himself doing nothing in particular. He had figured he might as well work on some new invention… he had a lot of time on his hands and no manner in which to spend it, so it would be a perfect opportunity to do so. However, as much as he wanted it to happen, no real ideas for inventions came to his head. He tried going for a walk or leafing through his old books, but no ideas surfaced. Well, I suppose that's how it works. You can't will ideas into being… they come to you. Quillish thought.

After a while, he had found himself in the living room with a newspaper in his hand. He flipped through it uninterestedly, looking up and seeing the empty chair across from him. I wonder how he's doing… Quillish thought idly.

Weeks passed and nothing of note really happened. Classes went well, the weather grew colder, the leaves changed color and soon it was late October.

Matthew had begun thinking of Laurent as a bit of a friend at that point, so he began spending even more time around him than usual. As for Laurent, he really didn't have an opinion one way or another about his roommate. As far as he was concerned, Matthew was just another peer. Of course, he never quite told Matthew that, so Matthew began assuming his feelings of friendship were mutual.

On that particular day, Laurent had been called down to the mail room, so Matthew waited paitently in their dorm to find out what exactly his roommate would be bringing back.

"What's that?" Matthew asked, looking in awe at the package Laurent was carrying into the room. It was plain and brown, but it was still a package, and that in itself was good enough to spark curiosity.

"Something from my dad," Laurent responded, setting it on his bed.

"From Mr. Wammy?"

"That's right."

"That's nice of him," Matthew said, his eyes trailing over the box curiously, "Do you think there was any reason for it?"

"Hm…" Laurent thought, his fingers tapping his chin as he did so. Suddenly, his face lit up, "Wait! It's October, isn't it?"

"…yes…?"

"This probably has something to do with my birthday!"

"Wait… your birthday is coming up?"

"I didn't tell you?"

"No…" Matthew said, "You hardly ever… wait! If this is a birthday present, what are you doing just talking about it?"

"I don't know," Laurent said truthfully, already beginning to play with the brown paper that covered the package.

"Well, go on, then! Open it!" Matthew said excitedly.

"Alright," Laurent said, starting to feel slightly awkward as Matthew began eagerly eyeing the box.

The package was quickly opened and Matthew quickly ran up behind Laurent to look at what he had received. On the very top was a small white envelope. Laurent quickly opened it to read what was inside.

Dear Laurent,

Happy birthday! I know this might come a little early, but I figured, why not? Promise not to eat all of this at once, alright?

Love,

Dad

"Look at all of this!" Matthew shouted happily.

Laurent looked up from the little note and peeked into the package.

"Wow," was all Laurent said.

"Of course 'wow!'" Matthew grinned.

The package was filled with sweets. Laurent was in shock. He, like most children, had a rather crippling sweet tooth, but he never had much of an opportunity to indulge in it. Most of the candy he received had come from Easter, Halloween and Christmas, and he would try to keep that candy around as long as possible.

However, the amount of it sitting on his bed was much more than he got on those holidays, possibly combined. Coming to that revelation caused him to say, "Wow," once more.

"He must really miss you! Or… maybe this is for Halloween, too?" Matthew said, picking up a piece of candy, "Even then, this is a lot!"

"Yes…"

"Do you mind if I take a piece?"

"Go…go ahead…"

Matthew happily opened the sweet and put it into his mouth, but Laurent was still staring stock still at the sheer amount of sugar in the package. He wondered briefly if his adoptive father knew what he was thinking…just look at it all…

Laurent's face broke into a smile. This was going to be fun.