Orbits

Date/Timing: 5 December 2005
Setting: Hermann's dorm room, University of Manchester; Manchester, United Kingdom
Scene-ifying "Exam", part six of "Ginger". 
.
The alarm clock on the edge of the dresser shows four-oh-nine A.-bloody-M.
Hermann's shoulders burn, his knee aches, and his wings whimper, but he scratches away at the next step of problem seven of the take-home exam.
Which's due at eight.
Edan peers over his arm, announces, "That figure's not right."
"Yes, it is," snarls Hermann.
"No, it should be—"
"I tested into four-hundred level calculus! My math is good!" he shouts.
"I know it is, Hermann!" Edan yells back, exasperated. "That's why I let you do it! But /that's the wrong orbital period!"
Hermann glares at the equation. "Oh." Rests his hand on his nape. "Sorry." Rubs out the mistake, inserts the correct number, and recalculates.
"It's alright," reassures Edan. "We're both up /way past our bedtimes."
Hermann snorts, multiplies his way through the next stage.
"I'm sorry about that, by the way."
Hermann stops. "What're you talking about?"
"We should've started yesterday, but I dragged you out to that show. So, yea, I'm sorry."
Hermann turns back to maths. "It's alright. I, uh, had a good time."
Edan blinks a couple of time, then grins. "I'm /so glad to hear that." He leans back in his chair.
Hermann taps the end of his pencil against the desk, eyes down. "I'd happily go out wi—like that again."
"Really?" squeaks Edan.
Hermann side-eyes him. "Yes, I would."
Edan /sparkles, quickly ducks his head, runs a hand through his hair. "It's, umm, the approach vector next, yea?"
"Yes."
"Cool. I've already got that sorted."
Hermann offers the pencil, scoots out of Edan's way.
Edan flies through the math—not /quite as fast as Hermann would, but still—arrives at the answer. "That look right to you?"
Hermann nods.
"Now we need to slow down, then land this baby."
Hermann hums agreement.
"You do the thrust and I'll do the friction?"
"Sounds fair."
"Brilliant!"
They exchange smiles, dive into the work.
Then on through problem eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Edan sits back, stretches his spine, then his arms. "Thank /God we're /finally done with that."
"Just in time for sunrise," yawns Hermann.
"About that ... lemme sleep here a couple hours," Edan says. "I'll never make it back to my room in this state."
Hermann is suddenly very awake. "I'm not sure ...."
"Don't worry. I'm too tired to do anything but snore. Hope that's not a problem." Edan gives a jaw-cracking yawn.
Hermann fights off a yawn of his own. "Alright." Smiles crookedly. "You get the outside, though."
"Brilliant."
Hermann limps over to the bed, slides in with his back close to the wall.
"You need a blanket or something?"
"I'll be fine with—" Swallows. "—with your body heat."
"Oh, right." Edan's neck blushes.
"Would you get the light, please?"
Edan flips the switch and carefully tucks himself in with his back to Hermann. "Goodnight, Hermann," he whispers.
"Goodnight, Edan."
Hermann lets his eyes drift shut, takes a deep breath scented with powder down, laundry detergent, and strawberry soap.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Manchester (setting)
Category:University of Manchester (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Hermann has wings
Category:Hermann is a genius
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:CM: Ginger