#rutgers

Symon creeps out of his room and down the stairs. His hair is messy, uncombed and it doesn’t look like he’s changed that black t-shirt in a few days.

“Everything kosher back home? Heard the mutt.”

"Home sounds okay. I'm gonna go back this weekend, anyways."

“Any word on anything else?” He leans on a counter, casual, disinterested.

Grunt-shrug.

"Things are happening, and I'm missing them."

"But exactly what?"

“I mean… like… “ He sighs. “Anything from Ann Marie? Anyone mention her at all?”

"No. No news there. You wanna go home, too?"

"Though you better shower or she'll fuss."

“No. I told Ma, I needed my space. Not to call and check on and ask me ‘oh are you eating, did you pack a sweater, get enough sleep, don’t stay out all night…”

He glances at his phone, no new messages. “Guess everything’s fine.”

Brow.

“I’m -fine-.”

Brow.

Though he gives the collar of his shirt a surreptitious sniff.

“She’s got more than enough to worry about without me being away being part of it. I don’t need her coddling me. We’re in college now.”

"Yeah, well, I want to go home and I miss my parents."

"If you forgot anything at home, and needed to pick it up?"

"I mean, you could ride with me? Sylvi might go, too."

“I don’t want her to worry about me. She’s overworked as it is. If she’s not in touch, that’s good.”

"Yeah, well... if you wanted, I'm going to do laundry at home. You could bring yours with?"

He gives her a narrowed eyed glance, then… “I guess I could use a few things washed. Saves quarters.”

"Exactly."

"You could crash on the couch at the Barn, even."

“…not the worst idea.”

"Well, your house is crowded, I get that."

“She's got to focus on the new one. Kid is neurotic.”

"Heard that. But you're not an old pair of socks."

“No, but she'll stretch herself until she breaks to give to everyone.”

“Cleo needs her more.”

He scowls that Dagmar made him say such a soft thing aloud.

"Mmph." Symon is quite certain more was said there in Trollese.

“Yeah, yeah.” He mutters and turns to walk up the stairs again. But he reappears shortly, with a towel and fresh clothes, and disappears into the bathroom without a word. Water runs.

Well, at least he's showering.