Lupe

Date/Timing: 3 May 2010
Setting: Edan's place; Mile End, London, England, United Kingdom
.
Edan yawns down the path after teaching his intro astrophysics section, thinking of nothing but his nice, soft—person?!
""Where the hell've you been?"" demands the head of chestnut hair pressed against his neck. 
"Hermann?"
A grunt and he's hugged tighter.
"The hell're you doing here? It's a Monday!"
""It's your /birthday. You think I'd leave you alone on this most important of days?""
Edan nuzzles his temple. "Thanks, /leannan."
""Happy birthday, /leannan.""
They rest like that a bit, soaking in each other.
"You been waiting long?"
""Not really."" Hermann peels himself off. "What kept you?"
"It's nice out, so I took a longer path back." Shrugs. "'s a bad habit."
"It's a lovely habit—" Shivers.
"When you're not waiting outside for me. C'mon." Wraps an arm around Hermann's shoulders, steers him—
"Hold on." He nabs a satchel and a cardboard carrier box of some sort.
"What's that then?"
"You'll see."
"A man of mystery."
Hermann laughs and Edan lets them into the building, leads them to his room and in. 
"How long can you stay?" asks Edan as he locks up.
"Only until morning, so we need to make it count." Hermann sets his baggage on the desk, leans against it.
Edan slouches next to him, sighs, "I can't wait 'til we can live in the same city." Ruffles his hair. "I should've worked harder, scored high enough for Oxford ...."
Hermann kicks his foot. "This is a first-rate program, Edan."
"I know that, but ... I'm getting tired of /distance. I want us /together-together, yea?" Sags a bit further. "Honestly, I'm afraid you'll find someone better: smarter, more like—"
Hermann drapes himself against Edan, kisses him thoroughly. "There's /no /one better for me. You need to get that through your thick Scottish skull."
Edan's heart does little flip. "You truly mean that?"
"Cross my heart." Hermann puts a bit more distance between them, digs in his bag, comes up with and offers a small, flat package. "We should get on with the birthday celebration so we can get to that 'together' you want."
Edan accepts the gift with a smile (even if it does feel slightly shaky) and "I bet I know what this is~!"
Hermann grins. "It's from Paige and I."
The paper tears easily and /Underwater Moonlight on CD beams up at him.
He gives Hermann a high hug. "Thank you both."
"Now, the crowning glory." Hermann proffers the cardboard.
"This likely to bite me?"
Hermann shrugs.
Edan frowns, opens the cardboard flaps, peers into the box.
Beady glass eyes peer back.
He scruffs the stuffed thing and quirks an eyebrow at Hermann. "A wolf?"
"I thought a fellow canid would make you feel more at home." Smirks. "Take you back to your childhood in a way."
Edan snuggles the plushie to his chest, kisses its little fluffy head. "I love her."
"I figure she—"
"Her name's Lupe."
Hermann rolls his eyes. "/Lupe can keep—what's the name of the concrete block again?"
"/Mandy. How /dare you forget her!" He tucks Lupe under his arm, pats Mandy's onesie-swaddled self where she rests on his desk. "He doesn't mean anything by it, sweetheart." Glowers at Hermann, still stroking. "He's just absolute /rubbish with girls."
"Says the gay man to the bisexual." Hermann drops himself the armchair. "You've dressed the rock."
"I couldn't have her flashing her pebbles about, could I?"
Hermann face-palms.
Edan beams, straddles the swivel chair. "'sides, this /particular outfit is a certain little rabbit's birthday gift to me truly."
Hermann peeps out.
"It seems Bastien is taking a sewing course and li'l Mandy is the beneficiary of his efforts."
"Why does he tell you this and not me?"
"Maybe he's sewing you something for /your birthday, but I doubt it'll be cute as—" Hefts Mandy. "—this!"
"O dear God. What /is that?"
"It's a dande-/lion! See the cute little eyes and nose?"
"I ... I don't know what to say ...."
"'You look adorable, Mandy'? Maybe?" Gently sets Mandy back in her place.
"Bonkers. You're completely bonkers." Frowns. "You also seem to have infected my little brother with it."
"Hey! I had /nothin' to do with this!"
Hermann blinks a few times, then realization hits. "He's trying to sew for /Emma and's giving Mandy the failures."
"She's /much more forgiving than the Swiss miss when it comes to slight imperfections."
"Mandy /would seem the type more likely to suffer indignity in silence than Emma."
"That doesn't mean she /should suffer."
"Of course not. Far be it for me to even /imply she should."
"Good." Edan perks up. "We should take pictures of Mandy and Lupe and send 'em to your dad!"
"What? Why?"
"He should see his other granddaughters!"
"Bonkers. Completely mad."
"And you /love it. I keep your life lively."
"That you certainly do." Hermann leans back, sprawling. "Now, do you want to get started on that 'together' or would you rather cuddle with your new daughter?"
Edan smiles, heart picking up speed, and settles Lupe next to Mandy. "What do you think?"
Hermann smirks. "I think I need to think about it."
"No, you don't, Hermann." Edan stands, pulls Hermann to his feet. "Turn that big brain off a moment and celebrate properly with me."
"Only if you do the same."
Edan laughs. "Let's get together, then."
Category:Ficlet
Category:London (setting)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan's POV
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:PAIGE (mention)
Category:Mandy (mention)
Category:Bastien (mention)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Lupe (mention)
Category:Emma (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images