#bergen_county

He stirs, perhaps hearing the tea kettle, or perhaps just feeling the weight of her eyes on him.

“Sorry for not telling you I was coming home.” He whispers, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"The important thing is you're home" She says gently, "I do wish you woke me so I could get you a proper bed"

“Full house.” He says, an observation. “Couch was fine, honest.”

"For you, I would reshuffle things again, your father and I both would" She nods "Cleo and Dirk know that things can shift. " She assures "But... how ARE you? "

She knows her son doesn't like being touched often, but she can't help but put a hand on his arm VERY lightly.

“I know you would. I don’t want you to. It’s okay. Really. It’s important for foster kids to know that they have a permanent place without being moved around.” A small smile. Did he learn that from her?

At that, Anne Marie can't help but look proud "Well, you could go to the Attic. Dirk would go to his 'he hut' for you. Want to be an attic sluagh?"

He grimaces a bit. “Too much dramatic filtered sunlight through dust motes, generally onto ancient boxes of yellowed photographs. No, the couch is good for now, until I decide what’s going on next semester… if you don’t mind me crashing there.”

"Of course I don't mind. Your father and I missed you. HE doesn't always say it, but your father IS fond of you, not just love, but he's proud you have interest in the sciences"

He nods, then pauses before offering, “ You might have already heard. I broke up with Cairrean.” He does not seem particularly upset about this, though he tells her gently in case she is upset. After all, Ann Marie seemed to like the girl.

Anne Marie ponders this "I admit, I had mixed feelings on her. She seemed to be a little high maintiance, if you don't mind me saying. On the other hand, she talked you into some shirts you'd never let me get you into and I had to respect that. the important thing is how do YOU feel about it?"

“It was time.” He says simply.

She nods "Well, I hope it ended amiably, no bad blood, but even if there was, she wasn't who I thought you'd end up with. When you told me you were asexual, well, I admit, i was a bit sad, not understanding, but I read up on sexuality studies and... well, being an ace does not mean you have to be alone. And I don't think even you want to be. " A tilt of her head "Do you?"

He squirms a little, uncomfortable. “I wish you wouldn’t make a big deal about my orientation. I get that you’re trying to be supportive, but it’s part of what I am, but it’s not WHO I am. It’s not like, my identity.” He says this gently, trying not to hurt her feelings.

Anne Marie considers this "That's true. I sometimes over correct. Bear with me while I find the balance?"

“Like, Dirk trying to be help by declaring to be supportive about me being such and such, I kinda shrivel up a a bit inside.” He confesses.

"OH well, Dirk is not a creature of half measures" She says a bit haplessly "But I'll try to set a better example for him"

He accepts the cup of tea which now that it’s cool enough to drink, and gives her a small smile. “Just how I like it.”

She smiles at that "You know, your dad is probably the one who got it right. He doesn't even mention it. Like it is a fact, and done."

“I’m not upset, but… I know that some folk are out and proud and their orientation IS a big part of their identity, and that’s cool… for them. For me, frankly… it’s not anyone’s business except for mine and…” he trails off for a moment there. A bit of a soft look has come over his expression.

"Son, I know your life is yours. I do, even if I am a blabbermouth gossip " She admits "I don't want to make a show of your life, but I do very much want to be a big part of it. Forgive me for being selfish like that"

“You may be a gossip, but you’re not a blabber mouth.” He says fondly. “You know what’s going on and who needs to know about it. Sometimes, maybe you overstretch, but always with a good heart.” He says, and sets the tea aside. Is… is he offering her a hug?

Anne Marie looks so touched she might cry, but then, that might ruin it for him so she reigns it in and hugs him gently "Thank you, Symon. I am so proud of you you know that? So clever, and such a good friend even if some folks never figure that out"

“The important ones know.”

"Oh" She says covering her mouth then saying "Now I am going to cry" then she asks "Does Dagmar know??"

“Dagmar and I are in a relationship.” He says, quietly but with happy pride. “We are partners as well as oath mates.”

It's all she can do not to blurt her happiness too loudly ,but she manages to keep it tolerable "Oh Symon, that's wonderful" She does have to hug him again, briefly, then she parts "I hope she realizes how lucky she is, getting my son as an oath mate?"

He blushes a bit. “I’m the lucky one.”

"Well, a mother is going to be biased," She says "But I DO like Dagmar, for what my opinion is worth. You two compliment each other very well and you've always looked after each other. Why I remember when she first arrived , even then you two ended up drawn together like yin and yang"

“Yup.” Simply said. “I might look at the kithain apartments for a summer sublet. Just until fall semester starts up again. Then we have to figure out if we can keep the Rutgers apartment we were at off-campus.”

"Oo from the pictures you folks sent of Rutgers that place is a nice one, maybe a third party could join you? Another changeling would best..." She ponders "I SUPPOSE the Appartments would be doable. They're a bit uhm loud at parts. Satyrs and pooka there mostly. But you would have Siv Piper and Jonas nearby and they're lovely."

“Yeah, it’s convenient, and furnished. Can’t beat that deal. it’s hard to think of someone we’d want in our personal space though.”

"How about Jimmy? You'd probably forget he was there" SHe consders "I really thought ALL Piskey did that, but Serenity seems better at being remembered."

“Hm. Maybe. That’s not a bad idea. Thanks, Mom.”

She nods "Happy to help. I still wish you'd let us keep you here for the summer, or nearer than the apartment complex, but you are right that Cleo might be ..too fragile for that. Mmph."

“It’s okay. I promise to visit more often. After all, Dagmar’s not afraid of Korean food.”

"That's true, I need to remember her favorites"

She looks at her son, "Sometimes I forget how much you two have grown, and Idon't mean her height. I guess I must get used to being a spectator" A beat "Ah, I hestiate to ask something rude, but Cairrean WAS.. high maintanence. How are your...finances? "

“They’re okay. I’m not flush with cash, but I’m not going to starve.”