#rutgers

"Is it? I mean...assuming that every date has to be planned with the idea of, y'know, happily ever after...that's a tough expectation."

"Isn't it better to start with casual, and allow for the possibility of more, rather than the obligation of more?"

She frowns.

"I think it's asking for trouble, doing that."

"It's not something that can go anywhere, like Lupe's friend couldn't go anywhere, either."

"It's just setting up disappointment."

"But...but it can be here. Now. That's not nothing."

"You're only going to be disappointed if you're expecting more."

She closes her eyes, mouth tugging back in a brief frown.

"Yeah, that's my problem. Expecting more."

"So... on me. Right?"

"Hey, whoa...you deserve more. You deserve everything you want. But it might take a while to find the person who will be that for you. For me, too," she points out.

She shrugs. "Can't always get what you want. But you can figure out how to want things you can get."

She tilts her head. "Not what I meant. But you can figure out how to enjoy what's available until what you want is available. Like...okay, like you wouldn't force yourself to die of thirst just because there wasn't any Dr. Pepper."

"Listen...I think Masey is cool. And I think she could be the kind of friend where you could be just friends, or friends-plus, or maybe even something more than that. And I think she's worth finding out."

"I..."

"I mean, she's nice. Fun."

"You're... doing okay, with everything post-Colton?"

"Having fun?"

A grin. "Yeah, I am." sounds like an understatement. "I mean, okay, yes, October. So...I'm enjoying that right now, and that helps. But...yeah."

"Good."

"Can I ask who?"

"Or is that too much like a snoopy boggan?"

A blink, and a grin. "I maybe shouldn't say, but...well...you're not the only one who caught a satyr's attention."

"Well, hey - I mean, you're happy, so I'm happy for you!"

"And if you want something fun and low-commitment..."

"Honestly? Right now? Yeah. Doesn't mean I'll always feel that way. I just...got way too committed, way too early, I think." A sigh. "It's weird, being fae, right? Like, we fight battles, we save lives, we organize big groups -- but I'm still just a college freshman, and I want that life, too."

"And you know, I want to see you happy, too. It's just easier if 'happy' doesn't have to be followed by 'ever after'

"Totally."

"And there's new people to meet."

A nod. "Lots."

"I feel more... Sam than I have in years, if that makes sense."

She bites on her lip. "I've thought about maybe setting up a patrol schedule, since.. like... nobody is exactly in charge, looking out for trouble?"

"It makes sense."

A blink. "That's actually a really good idea. I mean, like you said, doesn't look like anybody else is doing it."

"Exactly. And I'm good at it, and it'll... I need something to do that's not just classes..."

"I get that. Hey, y'know...I'm in. There's lots of times I won't be available, but I will when I can."

A crooked smile. "Yeah? Cool."

"Yup." She offers a fistbump.

Fist-bump!

"We'll show folks here what Rivervale means."

"Goldfinch, too."

A toothy smile. "Damn right we will."

"They're gonna notice." Even the ones who have already done some noticing.

"Plus, I do like a good fight."

"Yeah, you do!" Sylvi eggs her on.

"Best kind of workout. I mean, slightly preferable when there's not a great risk of death..."

That was a joke. She's smiling.

A smile back. "Slightly. But it's nice when somebody who needs a pummeling gets a pummeling."

"Also true."