Steps

Date/Timing: 1 November 2005
Setting: University of Manchester; Manchester, United Kingdom
Tweaking "Givens", part two of "Ginger". 
.
Doctor Jones finishes the day's lecture; everyone in the room exhales and stuffs their supplies into their bags. 
Hermann does, too. 
Justin greets, "Hey."
"Good afternoon." Hermann grabs his cane. 
"Since we're heading the same way, figured I'd just check in."
"Thank you." Where is his bag—
Reid's snagged it and slings it over his own shoulder. 
Hermann pointedly turns back to Justin. "Thank you very much for your dedication; I will no longer be needing your services."
"Awesome, mate. Send me a reference letter and I'll be out of your hair for good. I can even send you a template if you'd like."
"That's would be wonderful, thank you." 
"Sounds good. See you around!" 
"Likewise."
Justin departs. 
"Should I be jealous?" asks Reid. 
"I beg your pardon?"
"Nevermind~!" Hefts Hermann's rucksack—
"Give me that!" he hisses. 
"It's no problem. I'll carry it for you," says Reid, a smile tugging at his mouth.
"Reid, give it back."
"I /said I'll carry it for you. C'mon, we'll be late if you keep arguing." 
"Reid!"
"You'll have to wrestle it away from me if you want it that bad." 
"Edan!"
"Hah! You /finally used my name! Here's your books." Offers the bag. "Let's move!" 
Hermann scowls as he seizes it and shuffles to catch up with Edan.
"Just so you know, I'm going to do that every time you call me 'Reid' from now on. We're /friends. You can stop being formal, Gottlieb. And you can give me permission to use your first name whenever you're ready." His eyes twinkle.
Hermann can't help but smile back. "Okay, Edan. You can call me 'Hermann'."
Edan grins like it's his birthday, falls into step with Hermann, then gets the door.
"Thank you." Hermann steps outside.
Edan jogs a few steps. "After this, you want to join me and Iggy for dinner?"
Hermann rolls his eyes. "I've eaten at least one meal with you for the last six days. Why should today be different?"
"I dunno ... you could have a date?"
Hermann scoffs.
"Someone waiting for you back home?"
"No." Considers. "I suppose my younger brother might miss me."
"You've got a brother?"
"Two, actually, and an older sister, too."
"Wow. Big family."
Hermann shrugs.
"I've only got Fenella—my sister. And my parents, of course."
"Of course," mumbles Hermann.
"Not you?"
"My mother's dead and my father's rarely home." Takes a deep breath. "My oldest brother's always done most of the parenting."
"Oh. Umm ...." Edan runs a hand through his hair. "I can sorta, /kinda relate. I mean, Fen-fen was pretty much all I had 'til I got to school. My dad works offshore and my mum buggered off 'bout the time I started walking."
"I'm sorry."
Edan waves it off. "It was rough for a bit, sure, but since Dad married Dona everything's been great."
Hermann grunts.
Edan opens the door of their destination building. "I was really worried about her at first, 'cause she seemed /really conservative and I'm /really gay."
A traitorous stutter from Hermann's heart as they trudge to the classroom.
"But, turns out, I had nothing to worry about." Edan chuckles. "She's almost as protective of me as Fen-fen."
Hermann allows himself a small smile. "That sounds a bit like my brothers and I."
Edan grins and bows Hermann into the room. "It's good to know you're not alone, yea?"
"I suppose so."
Category:Ficlet
Category:Manchester (setting)
Category:University of Manchester (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Dietrich (mention)
Category:Karla (mention)
Category:Bastien (mention)
Category:Fenella (mention)
Category:Dona (mention)
Category:Torquil (mention)
Category:Birgit (mention)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:CM: Ginger