Pinkie Swear

Date/Timing: 12 Sep 2010
Setting: University of Oxford; Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Some inspiration from a prompt.
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Hermann's step lightens as he skips—well, hobble-skips—down the stairs from his last lab session of the day.
A wolf-whistle cuts through the air.
Hermann snaps his gaze toward the sound.
"Well, if that isn't exactly what this doctoral student ordered," drawls Edan, waving—his ring glinting under the lights—and leaning against the nearest lamppost.
As Hermann grins so widely his cheeks hurt, Edan peels himself off, bounds over, and wraps Hermann in a hug.
Hermann inhales a lungful of strawberry soap-discount laundry detergent smell, sighs contently.
"Good day?"
"Good day made even better by this."
Edan huffs a laugh. "Take it the not-technically-an-interview this afternoon went well?"
Hermann pushes away. "/Very well. He made an offer."
"Aaaaaand?"
"I accepted."
"So, that's it? It's a done deal?"
Hermann shrugs. "I don't have the appointment in writing, but he certainly gave me that impression."
"A tenure track position at Imperial College before you've even defended." Smiles, eyes bright. "If I didn't already know you were a genius, I would now."
"I'm not a genius," Hermann mumbles. "All I do is work hard."
"I started primary school three years before you and I'm still at /least two years away from getting my doctorate, never mind a position, and I work every bit as hard. If effort was all it took, we should be closer to even, yea?"
"It's not a fair comparison. Our 'schools' were potatoes and oranges."
"Stop arguing and accept you're exceptional."
"Fine," huffs Hermann. "I'm exceptional." Sniffs, then, "Can we go now?"
Edan offers his hand.
"What?"
"Hold hands?"
"We agreed—"
Edan rolls his eyes, sighs, "You put a ring on it and you still won't hold my hand in public."
"I don't want our private life made public."
"We're nobody special: nobody cares about what we do." Smirks. "Or who."
"/I care."
Edan deflates. "I just—" Deep breath. "Sorry. I need to respect your boundaries better."
"I wish—I wish I could be more relaxed, but ...." Sighs.
Edan pulls him close again, whispers, "You need to avoid attention at all costs. To stay safe."
Hermann nods, miserable, and steps back.
"Pinkie swear I won't push you like that again."
Hermann frowns at the extended digit.
Edan tries his puppy-dog eyes, wiggles the finger.
Hermann gazes heavenward, hooks it with his own.
"Thanks, /leannan. Let's be off!" Edan lowers his arm, but doesn't release his grip.
Hermann smiles to himself as they set off, pinkie-around-pinkie, for his residence.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Oxford (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images