[Poggio]

Dude to Crysandras closing this thread is being moved here.
The following post are the rps history:

Outside of a local cafe a young boy, roughly about the age of eighteen, sat by himself with a book in hand. On the table was a chilled cup of coffee, clearly neglected by the boy, as he was so engrossed in his book. Every so often he could be seen shifting to brush his hair away from his face, or pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose to keep them from falling as he read. And, he remained there for a long while, only occasionally sipping at the now ruined coffee. Not that he particularly liked the robust blend of flavors, but he continued to sip away at the cup anyways so as not to waste it. As time passed the light of the day started to gain a golden glow, and as a result bathed everything in its path in a glow that turned it all the same lovely shade. The only color of the boy that did not change was the naturally deep brown color of his eyes, which continued to easily glide along the aged pages of his book. Eventually the cup grew empty, and he decided that it was time for him to leave the small cafe, travel somewhere else where he could read his book in peace. The boy left the cup on the table, and with the book still open, poised to be read as he walked, he left down the street.

His shivered, his caffeine fix was not enough with out a grande espresso double foam and once he counted up all the miscellaneous coins in his satchel he found he had enough for the treat. Running through the side walk crowds, he dropped a wooden board in front of him jumping on it and navigating through the crowds. Every so often he used his foot to propel himself forward. He bobbed and weaved swimming through the bodies till he smelled his destination before he saw it. A quick glance told him he had just enough time before closing to make it. Once again he speed up closing the distance, not to the double doors but instead colliding into book reader. Awkwardly he was unable to stop himself from pressing the air out of the other. “sorry sorry sorry

The man had been entirely unaware of the oncoming collision, seeing as how his nose was halfway buried in his book. And needless to say the impact that sent the both to the ground was more than shocking. As he fell, his glasses had slipped off of his face, clattering to the pavement beneath him, and his book tumbled just out of reach. With a heavy huff he winced, his breath being easily knocked away simply by the man standing up. A frown formed on his face as he reached forward to grab his glasses, slipping them on before he made any notion of standing from the pavement. And his frown deepened evermore when the body who had rammed him down to the pavement. "It's alright..." He muttered out, nearly inaudible as he made his way to his feet. With a quick brush of his clothes, ridding them of the dust and dirt from the fall, the boy bent down to retrieve his book, making a quick check to ensure that it had not been damaged with it's brief battle against the pavement.

He didn't hear the man speak, but watch him slip from underneath his body. Hazel eyes searched around for what the man was looking for and gathered it up for himself before he had a chance to retrieve it. He looked at the book twisting it until it was in the right direction before slowly rising from the ground himself. He spun away taking the book with him flipping through a few pages. “Dude!


As he saw the book being plucked from the ground just before he could take it for himself he straightened he turning in time to see the man who he'd just ran into ran into spinning away with his book in hand. He narrowed his eyes at the male as he strode forward, holding a hand out for his book. "Would you please give me my bo-" He was cut short as the stranger began to speak about some man named Fabio. Turning his head to his side, Kavi turned his head to the side, confused by the other already. "Who the hell is Fabio?" He asked, his voice full of bewilderment and confusion. Though, his confusion was soon replaced with frustration and embarrassment as the stranger gathered the attention of passerbys. Kavi mentally gave a sigh of relief that his darkened skin made it near impossible to see his face from the attention the man had gathered for the both of them. Rolling his eyes he stepped closer to the immature stranger, his hand still held out. "That is not even in the book, now give me my book back." He demanded of the man, wanting nothing more than to retrieve his book and leave.


The man at least said please, that meant he had some manners, but upon further inspection he realized he didn't care. The question threw him off guard. How in the hell did this person not know who Fabio was. .


As the stranger explained the man named Fabio, Kavi began to feel oddly wary of the man. He was entirely unsure of why he seemed so determined to enlighten him about Fabio. However, he remained silent as the stranger looked in his bag, eventually dragging out a book. With the book forced into his hands, he looked it over briefly before turning his attention back towards the stranger. "I really don't think that reading this book will save my life." He said as he crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for a reply. However, as he got none and watched as the man stuffed his book into the bag before taking off. Gritting his teeth, Kavi debated running after the man, but eventually came to the decision not to. With a huff, and the book with Fabio in hand, he continued on his way home. He guess he had some reading he needed to get done.


A week in his life was uneventful. He spent most of it reading books, skate boarding and listening to his mother swoon over her child about to embark on his college excursion. She continuously reminded him about things like Frats, and parties and women. She made sure he was well aware that she was not ready to be a grandmother. The day before he was to move into his dorm, they held a big party for him. When he reached the small space he was surprised to see that some one else had already calm to the better half of the room. He dumped his things on his bed maneuvering through the limited walk space, at least he had a window.



The last seven days before he was supposed to head off to college were surprisingly uneventful. Everything proceeded as it usually did, aside from the extra bit of packing, the boy carried on. And in the time before he had to leave, he did take time out of his not-so-busy schedule to read the book given to him by the stranger. Even so, the further he read, he decided, the less he liked the book. However, he continued to read for the sake of finishing another book. Before long it was finished, and Kavi pushed it from his mind as he finished up the last of his packing, his thoughts becoming geared towards leaving for college. Leaving home had been of no issue, since he was not the first to have left home for college. However, he took it better that way, not being one who commonly enjoyed attention. And once Kavi had arrived at the school, he was already happy to finally be away from his usually busy home. It took no time at all to unpack his things into the room, claiming one half for himself. As much as the boy longed to remain in his room, taking advantage of the free space and time before his roommate arrived, he left the room, wishing farewell to his parents for the time being. Even so it took very little time and before long he was already trudging back up the stairs to the dorm room, hoping that his roommate had not yet arrived.


He did not see the other enter the room before him. Instead he boisterously dogged another hug and kiss from his parental units. He inadvertently knocked the heavy door into the body he didn't see, and continued to not see until he was standing in the door way. The ass looked familiar but he could not decide from where he knew it. He walked over to his roommate and offered a hand. “Hay dude, sorry about that didn't realize you were goggling the ceiling.



He had been entirely unsuspecting to the fact that his roommate had been about to open the door, which would end up knocking him over. As the feet stepped in front of him, Kavi looked up at the offered hand before his eyes turned to look at the man who had spoken. However, at the sight of the stranger standing before him, his face turned to a frown. Declining the hand, Kavi stood up on his own, lightly brushing out the wrinkles in his clothes as he stood up fully. "Fancy meeting you here." Kavi said in a dull voice as he turned his head to look at the stranger for the second time.


He pulled his hand back as if he had been burnt and stared at the other. The comment triggered no memory from him. He narrowed his eyes and inspected the others face trying to gather if he'd met the boy before. "Of course you are meeting me here... we are roommates." Once again he held out his hand to the other. "My name is Fabio." He tried again with a smile hoping the boy would not be so angry.



He pondered over the fact that the stranger he'd met a week ago might actually be his roommate. What were the chances of that? Inspecting the offered hand, Kavi finally took it into his own, giving the man a proper handshake before retracting his hand. When the other offered his name, he gave him an incredulous look before crossing his arms over his chest. "No really, what is your real name?"


The boys reaction made him laugh. "Yes it is dude, Fabio Rizzo, its on my birth certificate I promise. " He shook his head and turned to jump on his bed, swinging his feet as they dangled off the side. Idly he pushed a stray strand of hair from his freckled face. "And you Mr? Who am I living with for the next year?" He still had not gotten a name from the boy.



He was surprised and still disbelieving that his roommate was actually named Fabio. However, he kept any further disbelief to himself. "Kavi Chopra." He said as he strode over to his own bed, pulling his bag on top before proceeding to dig through it. Eventually, he came across what he was looking for, and once he had a hold of the thin book, he tossed it over onto the bed beside his roommate. "Before I forget, there is your book."

Fabio's mouth was trying to form the boys name when he tossed the book. He watched it bounce on his bed before picking it up and inspecting it. He started recalling the day a week earlier when he had meet Kavi and laughed. "Had I known you we were going to be roomies I would have given you a million of them. My moms a total fan. She would read them to me at bed time." He tapped the book against his hand remembering that he still had the boys on scifi novel to finish. "Did you like it?"

He shrugged at the question, not entirely sure what his conclusion of the book was. "It was alright, though those books are not my cup of tea. I'll stick to my science fiction, thank you." The boy lifted his hag back to the ground, sliding it under his bed before he sat down, turning his attention to his new roommate. "And what did you think about the book you took from me?" He asked as removed his glasses, setting them onto the bed beside him before lightly rubbing his eyes. Today was turning out longer than originally thought.

“Not your cup of tea? I suppose I shall give you another flavor...

As the boy recollected what had happened in the book, Kavi felt his face shift into a look of anger and annoyance. Picking up the book that promptly landed on his mattress, he flung it at the other, hitting him square on the back."You threw away me book? Why the hell would you do that?" He asked as he watched the book land on the floor with a satisfied thump. "It wasn't your book to throw away." He complained as he crossed his arms firmly over his chest.



Fabio hissed a little as the paper back hit him. He turned picking up and caressing it as if it were a baby, and hugged it to his chest. “No it wasn't, look dude I'm sorry but our house is littered in books, since we didn't know where it came from when I finished it I tossed it.



His eyes followed the book as the other carried it from the floor to place it on his bed once again. Rolling his eyes, Kavi sat back on his bed, crossing his legs as he pried his eyes away from the book to glance back up at the man who had placed the book back to him. "Still not very nice of you to throw it out, even if you did not know who the book belonged to." Reaching to the bed beside him, the boy picked his glasses back up, sliding them back onto his face as Fabio questioned him. "First year, yourself?" he asked, looking at the no longer blurry figure.


“We thought it was ours bro, picked up by mistake or delivered to our house as a joke



He didn't even bother addressing the book issue any further, knowing that the more he continued to ponder over it, the more upset he'd be. As he noticed Fabio going off in search of something, he took the book into his hands, looking at it carelessly before turning to lay down on his bed. Flipping through the pages, he skimmed through paperback until he finally turned to the first page. However, he was deterred from reading the suggested book when his roommate spoke again. "Not entirely sure," He started, setting the book beside him on the bed, "perhaps a doctor, or maybe something having to do with numbers. How about Fabio?"


The boy raised his arm and flexed it "Can't you tell?" He shook his head at the joke he was making before getting serious. He felt strange confessing to the other. "I would like to be a teacher, preferably elementary school." A grin crossed his face, finally shrugging. "I think kids are cute." He turned back to tending to his computer.



He nodded at the other, he could already see that his roommate had the personality and sheer attitude that would work well with children. "Yeah, they're cute, but they are annoying after awhile. At least to me." Kavi said with a shrug, picking the book back up from the bed, hardly interested in their topic of children.


He turned to say something but saw the other was already looking over the book again. "You must not be a people dude at all." He said shaking his head. Secretly he decided to make it his mission to change that about the boy. He put on his head phones and started to surf the web, checking all of his tabs he kept on his friends.

After an hour or so of being emerged in his digital world, Fabio turned to the other. "Wanna grab some grub?" he asked.


Rolling his eyes at Fabio's comment, he said nothing to contradict his assumption. Countless times he'd been told that, and before long he began to realize just how true it really was. As the other had turned to his computer, Kavi turned all of his attention to the book, he had nothing better to do.


His attention had only half been focused on the book, due to the lack of interest he held in the story, and he was easily pulled away when Fabio spoke to him. "Sounds fine to me." He said simply, bookmarking his page as he tossed it onto the bed as he sat up, reaching under the bed for his shoes.

Fabio jumped up after the boy, grabbing his jacket as he went towards the door. He paused to pick up the book inspecting it briefly to make sure the other did not damage it by folding its corners on the page. When he was satisfied he joined the other outside the door. “Where do you want to eat?



Kavi shrugged as he slipped on his own jacket, tugging on the sleeves as he started down the hall. "It hardly makes a difference to me, as long as there is a meatless option on the menu." Noticing that his glasses were dirty, the boy pulled them off of his face, quickly cleaning them off before sliding them back on.

Being the last one out of the room, Fabio took responsibility for locking the door. He could not help but jitter with excitement. "c'mo!" He called to his roommate, cleaning glasses could wait until they were happily fed. When he wasn't moving fast enough, Fabio merely pushed him along impatiently. "I saw a pub while I was out with my mums it looks like a nice place to have dinner, I kinda want to beat the drunkards... so move your ass" He said.

"Jeez, why don't you try slowing down." Kavi suggested, trying to fight against the boy's pushing, while still walking forward. "We'll get there far before the drunks do, and even if we're not the first there we'll get a fine table."However, he noticed that his attempts at slowing his roommate were failing, so he simply went along with the forced pushing. However, while he may not have protested physically, he was still able to complain. "Could you at least stop pushing me? I can keep up better if you wouldn't do that."

He relaxed his grip at the others continuous protest, no longer pushing but instead he was congo-ing behind the other. His hips swayed to an unknown jungle rhythm as he walked. "You complain... Alot man. You need to learn how to play it fast and loose." He said wiggling one of his legs as it stepped forward. "How else are you going to get a girl."

He rolled his eyes at the other, walking forward as he tried to ignore the dance-like movements of Fabio. "I have had no problem with being the way I am now," He started, folding his arms over his chest as he continued on. "Besides, there is more to life than women and having fun. And what are you doing now? Dancing as we walk?" He said, no longer being able to hold back questioning the other on his choice of movement.

“Don't question it, just let the...

He couldn't help but feel a small bit of satisfaction when the other quit dancing, but did not say more on the matter."It is not so much as getting out as choosing to participate in certain actions." Kavi commented as he gave Fabio a reasoning look before continuing on. "And on my days off I, personally, enjoy reading, or doing something rather low-key. Not one for parties or 'boarding' as you like to call it."

"Boring" The other said in a exaggerated dramatic tone. "Geeze there is more to life then books you know." As much as he loved to read even he got out more then this fellow. He shook his head digging his hands into his pocket. There must be more to this man then reading. "You don't have any hobbies outside of reading?"

Thinking for a moment, Kavi gave a small shrug. "Reading is the primary one, I don't do sports, I don't tend to play video games and the like." He waved a hand as if to get possible ideas moving in his mind. "I guess drawing? Not really a hobby though, if you ask me." Folding his arms over his chest, he turned to look at his roommate. "Should I assume you have a slew of hobbies with the way your asking about mine?"

[Honey]

“We thought it was ours bro, picked up by mistake or delivered to our house as a joke



He didn't even bother addressing the book issue any further, knowing that the more he continued to ponder over it, the more upset he'd be. As he noticed Fabio going off in search of something, he took the book into his hands, looking at it carelessly before turning to lay down on his bed. Flipping through the pages, he skimmed through paperback until he finally turned to the first page. However, he was deterred from reading the suggested book when his roommate spoke again. "Not entirely sure," He started, setting the book beside him on the bed, "perhaps a doctor, or maybe something having to do with numbers. How about Fabio?"


The boy raised his arm and flexed it "Can't you tell?" He shook his head at the joke he was making before getting serious. He felt strange confessing to the other. "I would like to be a teacher, preferably elementary school." A grin crossed his face, finally shrugging. "I think kids are cute." He turned back to tending to his computer.



He nodded at the other, he could already see that his roommate had the personality and sheer attitude that would work well with children. "Yeah, they're cute, but they are annoying after awhile. At least to me." Kavi said with a shrug, picking the book back up from the bed, hardly interested in their topic of children.


He turned to say something but saw the other was already looking over the book again. "You must not be a people dude at all." He said shaking his head. Secretly he decided to make it his mission to change that about the boy. He put on his head phones and started to surf the web, checking all of his tabs he kept on his friends.

After an hour or so of being emerged in his digital world, Fabio turned to the other. "Wanna grab some grub?" he asked.


Rolling his eyes at Fabio's comment, he said nothing to contradict his assumption. Countless times he'd been told that, and before long he began to realize just how true it really was. As the other had turned to his computer, Kavi turned all of his attention to the book, he had nothing better to do.


His attention had only half been focused on the book, due to the lack of interest he held in the story, and he was easily pulled away when Fabio spoke to him. "Sounds fine to me." He said simply, bookmarking his page as he tossed it onto the bed as he sat up, reaching under the bed for his shoes.

Fabio jumped up after the boy, grabbing his jacket as he went towards the door. He paused to pick up the book inspecting it briefly to make sure the other did not damage it by folding its corners on the page. When he was satisfied he joined the other outside the door. “Where do you want to eat?



Kavi shrugged as he slipped on his own jacket, tugging on the sleeves as he started down the hall. "It hardly makes a difference to me, as long as there is a meatless option on the menu." Noticing that his glasses were dirty, the boy pulled them off of his face, quickly cleaning them off before sliding them back on.


Being the last one out of the room, Fabio took responsibility for locking the door. He could not help but jitter with excitement. "c'mo!" He called to his roommate, cleaning glasses could wait until they were happily fed. When he wasn't moving fast enough, Fabio merely pushed him along impatiently. "I saw a pub while I was out with my mums it looks like a nice place to have dinner, I kinda want to beat the drunkards... so move your ass" He said.



"Jeez, why don't you try slowing down." Kavi suggested, trying to fight against the boy's pushing, while still walking forward. "We'll get there far before the drunks do, and even if we're not the first there we'll get a fine table."However, he noticed that his attempts at slowing his roommate were failing, so he simply went along with the forced pushing. However, while he may not have protested physically, he was still able to complain. "Could you at least stop pushing me? I can keep up better if you wouldn't do that."


He relaxed his grip at the others continuous protest, no longer pushing but instead he was congo-ing behind the other. His hips swayed to an unknown jungle rhythm as he walked. "You complain... Alot man. You need to learn how to play it fast and loose." He said wiggling one of his legs as it stepped forward. "How else are you going to get a girl."



He rolled his eyes at the other, walking forward as he tried to ignore the dance-like movements of Fabio. "I have had no problem with being the way I am now," He started, folding his arms over his chest as he continued on. "Besides, there is more to life than women and having fun. And what are you doing now? Dancing as we walk?" He said, no longer being able to hold back questioning the other on his choice of movement.


“Don't question it, just let the...

He couldn't help but feel a small bit of satisfaction when the other quit dancing, but did not say more on the matter."It is not so much as getting out as choosing to participate in certain actions." Kavi commented as he gave Fabio a reasoning look before continuing on. "And on my days off I, personally, enjoy reading, or doing something rather low-key. Not one for parties or 'boarding' as you like to call it."

"Boring" The other said in a exaggerated dramatic tone. "Geeze there is more to life then books you know." As much as he loved to read even he got out more then this fellow. He shook his head digging his hands into his pocket. There must be more to this man then reading. "You don't have any hobbies outside of reading?"



Thinking for a moment, Kavi gave a small shrug. "Reading is the primary one, I don't do sports, I don't tend to play video games and the like." He waved a hand as if to get possible ideas moving in his mind. "I guess drawing? Not really a hobby though, if you ask me." Folding his arms over his chest, he turned to look at his roommate. "Should I assume you have a slew of hobbies with the way your asking about mine?"


He shook his head. Leave it to the collage to give him the hermit. The golden lettering caught his attention before he answer and he grabbed the bars to the door opening it for the both of them. “This is the place..



Giving a dismissive hand wave to his roommate, he entered the pub. Just entering the building he could spell the scent of beers and drinks that had been served nightly for God knows how long. Walking further into the building, Kavi sidestepped around occupied seats, already filled with a mix of college students and residents from the town. Locating an empty booth on the far wall, he led the other over. Gesturing towards the seat, Kavi looked at Fabio with a questioning look. "Does this seem like a good spot to you?"


He looked at the booth with disdain and folded his arms over his chest. "In a corner really? How are we suppose to watch Karokee from here?" He said looking around for an alternative. "Next time I am picking the booth" He said as he grumpily bounced into the area opposing Kavi. It wasn't long before a cheery young girl wiggled her way past the drunken crowds towards their private sector. "Welcome," She said laying down two menus. "Is there any drink I can start you out with?"



"Why anyone would want to watch karokee is beyond me." He retorted as he slid into his half of the booth. shrugging his jacket off, he set it to the side of him as the bubbly waitress came up. "Just a water for me, please," Kavi replied with a kind smile to the hostess as he took one of the two menus she set down, casually looking over the offered foods.


That was the last straw, the boy was just... in Fabio's mind the college certainly did a good job of picking his opposite it seemed rather then some one he could at least some what get along with. The only future saving grace he could foresee was his studiousness. "Sprite for me. and you" He pointed at Kavi "Are going on stage."



As he was addressed by Fabio, Kavi looked up from the menu, offing the other a rejecting look. "Absolutely not," He stated firmly. "If you want to go onstage you have every right to do so, but I am not going up there." He said, trying to instill his repugnance towards going onstage before his roommate even remotely thought about persuading him to go onstage.


Fabio looked at the stage like a child who had not gotten the one Christmas toy they wanted despite being good all year. Sighed and huffed tapping the menu against the table as he read it trying to decide what to eat. Fabio eventually stopped acting childish and straighten himself up to read the menu, finding himself saying "If you do it I will buy you a hard back of any book you want."



"Firstly," Kavi started, setting his menu down in front of him so he could see Fabio more easily, "you still owe me for that book you threw away. Whether you want to buy it, or even if you found it at the library, you owe me that much to begin with." Removing his glasses again, he wiped them clean of the little dust that had made their way to the prescribed glass before slipping them back onto his face. "Secondly, as much as I love reading you can't bribe me to get on stage. It's not happening."

He sighed, rolled his eyes and said “One I did not know it was yours or that I would ever see you again. So I am not buying you anything unless you get on that stage. Its not like I am asking you strip tease for the crowd. And two, well damn what do you do for fun when you aren't reading and drawing and being boring?



He only had time to roll his eyes in response to Fabio's question before the waitress stepped up to their table. Accepting his drink, Kavi thanked her before folding his menu like Fabio had done. Ordering a simple salad, Kavi took a sip of his drink while he waited for the other to order, and once the bubbly girl had collected the menus and walked away he finally decided to answer the question offered to him. "A person is only boring to other people, but to themselves are interesting. Though if you still view me as boring so be it. But aside from drawing a reading I spent a lot of time with my siblings at home, which did not always include going out of the house to do things, but stop questioning like you're trying to get insight into my life. What about yourself, what do you do for fun?"


Fabio half listen to the philosophical reasoning. Soon his attention was completely captivated by sound of Benny and the Jets being sung by some overly enthusiastic young man. “Huh? What?



"It would be such a waste to use sticky notes like that, but no, getting to know someone's roommate would be the preferred choice of those two." He said absentmindedly making the choice, his attention more focused on swirling his straw through his drink. "But you have to provide information too, you tell me a bit about yourself." Straightening in his seat, Kavi left his straw alone to pay more attention to the answers Fabio would give.


He shrugged finally turning his attention back to his roommate. "That is good, that means I can leave my boxers where I please." He settled into the booth with a smug smile on his face. "That is very vague dude, and you already know the basics." He picked up his drink and started to blow bubbles in the liquid.



He shook his head at the childish behavior and crossed his arms over his chest. "All I know is your name and that you apparently love acting like a child. That provides little useful information to me. I was asking about things such as...do you have any siblings, or where are you from, those sorts of questions, though I apologize for being so vague."


He twisted his straw around his cup before drinking some of his soda. "And what if I dont want to answer those questions?" He said.



Rolling his eyes, Kavi shook his head at the comment, lightly annoyed at the response he received. "Then I will be one of those roommates that leaves passive aggressive sticky notes and fails to learn about my roommate. Now would you prefer that, or would you rather provide some insight to your life?"


"Now who is being childish?" He said smirking, smuggly relaxing into the booth as the young girl came aroudn with their food. "I was born of my others womb which means I can not kill Macbeth." He plucked a fry from his plate. "My favorite color is orange. Is that enough?" He asked looking around wildly for some kind of sauce to aid with the fries.



He thanked the waitress as she came with their food, and once she left, Kavi turned his attention back to his feral looking roommate. "For now I suppose, though I have to compliment you on your choice of reference." Warily watching Fabio look about, Kavi decided to make the assumption that he was looking for something. "What are you looking for?"He asked, his brow wrinkled in confusion.


"You sound surprised." He said genuinely amused. "Despite my collection in the dorm, I do read other things dude. Christopher Marlowe is my brah." Finally he gave up when the other asked him the other question "Ai, Heinz 57, Ketchup or bbq sauce. You have the worse table sense."



Rolling his eyes, Kavi took his his fork and pierced one of the raspberries on his plate. "I seriously doubt that he is your '[i]brah[i]', he's been dead for over five-hundred years." He commented before eating the tart fruit. "And my table sense may be bad, but at least I knew you were looking for something." Looking over to the side of the booth, Kavi spotted a bottle of ketchup hiding behind a pair of salt and pepper shakers. "Here," He said simply, handing it to Fabio.


"It does next time I am picking. I want to be closer to that." He said turning around again to see another person grace the stage and begin to sing a tune. "Also ketup sucks." He started to stuff his face with the chicken sandwich, pausing briefly to wonder if the other liked his meatless existence.



He'd already been awake when his alarm went off in the morning. Promptly shutting the device off, Kavi stood from the bed, giving a small stretch. He made his way through the narrow walkway of the room to the small window of the form room. Tugging in the string, he lifted away blinds up, bathing the room in a bright light of the morning. "Wake up, orientation starts in in hour." Kavi said indifferently, moving back over to his bed to return to his computer, resuming his work.


He rolled over hugging his pillow, growling a response morning cheerfulness. Fabio fully intended to get his five more minutes and the other was not going to stop him. He curled up into a ball in the corner of his bed soon falling back asleep.

[Poggio]

Kavi was momentarily content with the response he gained from the other, knowing that it was only expected from most so early in the morning. However, as the morning drew on he decided that it was growing too close to orientation, and he was not going to have his roommate late due to over sleeping. Slipping from his bed, he walked over to the curled figure, placing a hand on the shoulder and lightly shaking Fabio. "Come on, you have to get up and get ready. Don't want to miss orientation."


He thought the others voice was part of his dream. He rolled over further into his bed taking the others hand off his shoulder. He was loosing the fight to keep his dream inside his head. "No." Fabio moaned as a response. He curled up tighter into a fall pulling his blanket over his head.



Scowling, Kavi took back to shaking Fabio's shoulder, with a slight amount of additional force in an effort to finally jostle him awake. "No, you are getting up. I won't have my roommate late to orientation because my efforts to wake you failed." Shifting his hand, Kavi took a hold of the blanket's edge, tugging it away from the sleeping face.


He grunted at the shaking determined to ignore it. He pulled his pillow from beneath his head and covered his head with it. "Kavi..." He moan muffled by the sound of fluff. "You can only wake sleeping beauty with a kiss." Surely that would have gotten the prude to leave him alone.

Making a failed attempt at prying the plush pillow away from Fabio, Kavi huffed and stepped away from the curled figure. "But you are no sleeping beauty, so kisses do not apply to you. Now get up or I'll dump a glass of water over you. Don't want to mess up your make-up, princess." Crawling back onto his bed, the boy pulled his computer back onto his lap and went back to work, keeping an eye on Fabio, making sure the boy woke up or made any effort to.


"What ever dude." he mumbled he rolled over as if he was going to get up but then stopped moving at all. Soon his body relaxed and he had fallen asleep again.



After allowing the boy another five minutes of interrupted sleep, Kavi stood from his bed once more. Striding to the bed, he outstretched his hands to take a hold of either one of Fabio's cheeks, pinching them rather forcefully. "Wake up, and start getting ready, or I will pour water on you if you wall asleep again."


Fabio instinctively yelled springing from the bed and headbutting the other. "Let go of me." He pulled the others hands from his face and grabbed his pillow and hit the other. "Don't do that." He said rubbing his face falling back on to his bed. "I will get up when I am ready."



"By the time your ready orientation will be over." He argued as he felt the pillow slam into the side of his head, knocking his glasses to the ground. "I do not care if you miss your normal classes, but orientation is important." He continued explaining as he bent to the ground, picking up his glasses before wiping them clean and slipping them back into his face.

"Then you go and tell me all about it later." He said readjusting himself but finding it hard to go back to sleep. He was not interested in orientation. It was all the same or so he heard. He had other ways of finding out the school rules and clubs.



"I'm not going to take my time to go to orientation while you sit here sleeping and come back to relay what happened."He said huffily. Padding the few steps to his bed, Kavi took up one of the romance novels Fabio had lent to him. Flipping over the limp novel he roughly flipped through the pages before looking over at Fabio. "If you don't get up and get ready I'll ruin the book, like you did mine."


He thought about calling the others bluff, especially since he felt so strongly about Fabio's supposed book damage. After thinking about, Fabio could not risk that with his mothers book. He rolled over and jumped out of the folds of his blanket, snatching the book from Kavi's hand. He hit his roommate with the book on the head, before walking back to his bed. He snaked his way back under his blankets curling around the book.



He scowled as the book was quickly and easily plucked from his hands before he had a chance to pull it out of the way. Feeling the soft paged thwack the back of his head, his glasses fell to the floor in front of him a second time already. Watching the blurry figure stalk back to the bed, intending to return to the late sleeping. "Fine, be late to orientation, but I won't recap anything for you," Kavi said with a frown, bending down to grab his glasses from the floor. Grabbing the few things he needed, he headed out of the dorm to start towards the school's assimilation.


Fabio shook his head and chucked. He tucked the book under the pillow after kissing its cover relieved for its safety. He rolled out of his bed landing close to the jeans he wore the previous day. He put them on along with a shirt he found. He was out of the room with his satchel as the other was waiting for the elevator. “Hi



Hearing the vagurly familiar voice, he turned to look at the owner of the voice, only to feel a hand come in contact with the back of his head. "You need to stop doing that." Kavi said as he caught his glasses midair, before they finished their tumble to the ground. "You're going to end up breaking my glasses before too long if you keep it up." Placing the glasses back onto his face, Kavi looked up in time to see the elevator doors open.


He nudged the other snickering. "Thats what she said" He jumped into the opening doors inspecting the wall of buttons and pushed the one they needed. He turned to the other smiling, reaching out he adjusted the others glasses slightly. "So what is the big deal with orientation?"



He raised a questioning eyebrow at the lewd joke as he stepped into the elevator. "That one doesn't even make sense, evaluate the words before you call it out," Kavi said just before Fabio reached out to fix his glasses. Swatting away the hands he took a half step away and adjusted the glasses himself. "Orientation is important, you get to see around the school, learn where everything is at, and see what all the school has to offer, in relation to clubs and activities, for the students."


He smiled "If you evaluate things, you loose the moment." Shaking his head he rolled his eyes at the other. "And really that is why I am out of bed? I did all of that in the tour when they were trying to take my money." As they stepped out of the building Fabio pointed aloft. "That is the business building, where a lot of computer ethics classes are taken... thats the art building." He grinned. "Shall I go on?"



"If you're a quick thinker you can both evaluate it and get the joke in." It was his turn to roll his eyes at Fabio as they stepped out of the building. "No, no need to continue. And yes, they did tell us things when we would first visit, but there are other, interesting things they tell you at orientation. Trust me, it'll be for the better by going, and if it really is a waste of our time we can just leave."


"Lame... your so by the book." He shook his shaggy mane. "Alright... I accept that challenge. If its the pits then we can go to the town." He was excited by the idea of finding another dinner spot. He held out his hand to make the deal official.



"Is it really so bad to be by the book?" Kavi asked as he looked at the offered hand for a moment. Taking it into his own he gave it an affirming shake before retracting it once again. "But enough with the betting, what sorts of classes are you taking this year?"


"Yes... it is actually. It limits a child creative growth. Yeah people need math tinkers but they also need innovation. If children have a firm foundation of creativity they can apply it to math and sciences." He grinned but sooon stopped as the question caught him off guard. "The general ed stuff that I need. you know english, math a sociology class... what about you?"



"I see your point, but I wouldn't call it bad to be by the book, just different. It ends with a different outcome of child, but one isn't worse than the other." Sticking his hands into his pockets to protect them from the brisk autumn air, he continued on. "Essentially the same, mainly trying to get the necessary classes out of the way before a secondary school. Though, I'll be taking more science and math classes in comparison to the other kinds. "


"I dunno, I have yet to meet a by the book person that was creative they tend to develop their left side of their brain more which controls logic... I think." He paused briefly to consider what the other was saying. "No offense but why come here... if you just want to do math things, why not go to MIT or some place like that?"

He couldn't say he was particularly surprised at the question, it certainly wasn't the first time he'd been asked, but he was still taken aback. "I looked into MIT, Purdue, Dartmouth, and all sorts of universities known for their math and science programs, but none of them appealed to me like this college did. They were all too big and showy, but this one is nice and small, more my style." He turned his head to offer the other a side-long glance before turning his attention to the path in front of them. "What about you, why this college?"


A shrug escaped his body, as he dug his hands in his pockets. “They paid me to come here. Its the only place that offered me a full ride, though it means I have to spend 3 years teaching in the school system of their choice I think I can live.



"Once you finish school, all you can hope for is that they give you a decent school to teach at," Kavi commented with a shrug. Stepping closer to the doors of the auditorium, the boy reached out to open the door, but Fabio had beat him to it. At the offered comment he offered an eye roll and a shake of his head before stepping forward. Simply glancing down the hall he could see a number of people loitering near the end of the hall, and small signs posted on the walls directed students here for orientation to head down there. With no hesitation, Kavi headed down the hall towards the sound of voices and shadows of people.


He dug his hands in his pocket following behind the other. It already felt like a snooze fest and was really anxious to get back outside. Fabio found a pair of seats near the middle surrounded by students sharing both he and Kavi's sentiments. He flopped down into one grumpily sinking into the cushion and curling his feet so that they rested on the back of the chair in front of him. "Wake me when you realize its boring." He said tugging on his beanie.



"You're so lazy," He commented as he took his seat. Bothering Fabio no more, he took to scanning through the rest of the room, giving glances at the students with mild curiosity as he waited for orientation to actually begin. Not long after he'd taken to his crowd searching, one of the professors took to commencing orientation. Settling back in his seat, Kavi paid attention to the offered words, but before long he could feel the speech slowly making the entire room feel blasé and dull. A nearly inaudible sigh escaped his lips as he settled back into his seat, patiently waiting for it to come to an end, despite hardly beginning.


His attention had dwindled the moment he sat in the chair. He did not mean to nod off and snapped himself into attention. He pulled the beanie fabric from his face and looked at Kavi. His attention turned to Kavi as even the other appeared jaded. The smuggest smile of satisfaction grace his lips. He reached in his pockets and pulled out a sharpie. On the back of Kavi's hand he wrote "i told u so." With a little heart over the i. He made a kissy face at the other.



He was brought from his tired mindset when he heard the other stirring beside him. Watching with mild interest, he saw Fabio pluck the marker from his pocket before taking his hand into his own. Adjusting his glasses with the other hand he tried to make out what he'd written, but he was only able to see after it was completely written. His school contorted into a scowl as he read the words. Turning his head to the side, he glared at Fabio as he made an effort to wipe away the words to no avail. "Let's just go, there's nothing else to do here..." Kavi said quietly as he offered a light shooing motion.


He rolled out of the chair snickering and pushed past those that wanted to stay. Once he was out side he laughed and felt the need to repeat himself. "Dude, I told you so." Shaking his head he dug his hands into pocket and scampered in a circle around the other. "Where would you like to explore first?"



Abandoning his chair, he followed after Fabio, giving mumbled apologies to those they passed on their way out. Stepping out into the hall after the other, he frowned again at the offered words and rolled his eyes. "You don't need to tell me twice, besides, I have this as a reminder." He help up his hand to show off the dark words still written on his hand. His eyes followed Fabio as the boy nearly skipped around him, more than pleased with himself. "I don't know, do you know what kind of stuff is in town around here? Something interesting?"


He grinned and it grew at the showing of the hand."Dude a book is interesting to you." He shook his head but the grin never left. "Fine, I will be you tour guide." He saluted. His brows contorted in thought before he reached out and pulled the others arm in the direction he wanted to go.



"What can I say? Books are interesting, given the right genre." Kavi said as the other took a hold of his arm and started to tug him away. "You don't have to pull me to follow, I'm not a child you know," He told Fabio as he picked up his pace so he was keeping up without having to be drug along.


Fabio merely grinned but he relaxed his grip on the other. "But the buddy system and single file lines." His head seemed to bob to a tune only Fabio could hear. "I know that is why the first stop on the tour is the city library, the main branch."



"Really, buddy-system? You are definitely meant to be a teacher." Kavi commented as he noticed the odd head bob the other had going on before returning hid gaze to where they were heading. "Perfect. While we're there you can find a copy of my book for me, so I can finish reading."


"Yes, though it doesn't work if both buddies are lost, so I will be your guide and you can be my buddy and it will work." He said his head continuing to move though now he was silently mouthing words to a song. "Oh and I don't remember what its called." He said letting his shoulders rise and fall in a shrug.



"Don't worry, I know the name of the book, I'l tell it to you when we get there." His attention was stolen away again by the head bobbing, and reaching forward he placed a hand on the back of the head, stilling it. "Why do you keep bobbing your head like that? It's annoying."


Fabio just laughed at the other, they must have made for a strange sight as the other had his hand on the crown of his head, and he had one of his hands pulling the other along. While his head was stilled, his body started moving as if it was dancing. He pulled him close as his hips gyrated against the other, moving in a salsa like movement. "Is this better?"

As soon as they other turned to him and relinquished his grip on his arm, he removed his hand from the back of the still stilled head. Being pulled close, he boy reached forward, placing his hands onto Fabio's shoulders before pushing him away. "No, it's not better. Just go back to your annoying head bobbing, just leave me out of it," He said, straightening his shirt and coat.


Fabio bounced a head a little laughing. He dug his head in his pockets When he finally stopped he dared a glance him. Instead of bobbing his head, this time fabio stuck to kicking a can down the street as they continued to make their way to the library. He pointed out land marks to the other and places where public transit could be found.



As they started to near the library, Kavi was surprised by how large it actually was. "So the quickest way here from our dorm would be to walk, take the bus, or take the subway?" He asked Fabio as he stepped forward to kick the can away from him before his foot sent it skipping across the sidewalk.


Another shrug rolled off his body. "Its what you prefer or what you have time for dude. I'm a fast walker and well..." He emptied his pockets. "I usually don't have change for the bus." He walked pass the other and opened the doors. This time he did not repeat what he said earlier merely chuckled.



He nodded an understanding as he dug his hands into his pockets, offering them a warm break from the chilly weather. Stepping closer to the door, he was once again beat to opening the door, and offered nothing to Fabio at the chuckle. Without a second thought he went off to get a better look at the library.


Before the other could fully escape he tugged on his arm "Come find me when your done, and don't forget we aren't spending all day here." He let him go again. Fabio found himself naturally wondering to his favorite sections the first being the childrens section.



Again he nodded before wandering off. Wandering in and out of the endless isle of books he could that everything was neat and tidy, and organized as books should be. Before long he found himself with a few books to check out, and a library card for the library before he set out to find his roommate. He searched high and low, and finally he realized the only place he hadn't looked was the children's section. Begrudgingly he strode into the brightly colored section, littered with books and toys. Sidestepping around everything, he took note of Fabio sitting with a number of children all around, all listening as he read a book to them. Offering little more than a bored look, he took a seat near the back and waited patiently for his roommate to finish.


He finished reading the page and showed the book to the children so that they could see the illustrations. Fabio was about to read another page when he saw a rather large child join the group and smiled at his roommate before continuing to read the rest of the book. Once the impromptu story time was over, the group of kids disbanded with a gleeful groans, scampering to waiting parents just beyond the carpet. Fabio rose from the rocking chair peering down at the stack of books. “Did you enjoy story time?



With story time coming to an end, Kavi watched the children head off before he turned his attention to his approaching roommate. "Yes, i suppose I did, though children books are so trivial." He said, accepting the hand as he stood from his spot on the floor. "As for food, I wouldn't mind eating. Did you have something in mind?"


As they left, Fabio managed to add two childrens books to Kavi's stack while the other was looking over a title he expected to read. When they left, Fabio still had no real plans for lunch, just that he was hungry. His lackadaisical schedule always led his lunch to be breakfast. They were close enough to the park that it was perfect especially for the brisk autumn weather. "Theres a stand in the park, great stuff." He nodded leading the other under the canopy of red leaves.



He didn't really feel as though he had much of a choice in the matter, not that he really minded food from stands. So, without many qualms, he followed behind Fabio towards the park. "So how do you know your way around so well? Have you lived in the area long?" He asked as he idly looked over the library books in hand, scowling as he noticed the children books Fabio had slipped in.


"Yeah my mom and I have an urban bunglow just outside of the city. I guess I've been here..." He started counting things on his fingers. "About 5 years." He dug his hands in his pockets, this time when his head moved it was only a slight bob. "What about you and your folks?"



"We live up in Massachusetts, and I've only been staying around here for a week, so I don't know my way around the city at all." He explained as he tucked the books beneath his arm, having seen enough of the cotton candy colors splattered over the front of the books. "I figure it will be easy enough to navigate my way around the city in a few weeks, its can't be that hard."

[Honey]

Once again his body shrugged in a fluid motion. The other was right. "Its not the main subway line goes in all four directions under the city and in a giant circle around it. Where you cant get to on your legs you can get to buy a bus... but I would never take a taxi." He said shaking his head as he came to a stop in front of a food vendor and his partner. One catered to the likes of Fabio. He nearly unleashed his tongue full of drool at the smell of the polish franks. The other a vegan vegetarian stand, catering to the health nuts running about the park.



"Sounds simple enough, I'm sure in two weeks I'll know my way around like local." He said with a dismissive hand wave he too stopped as Fabio did, taking note of why he'd stopped. With the smell of the sausage reached him, Kavi shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "I don't know how you eat the stuff," He said to Fabio, turning his sights away from the stand to look at his nearly drooling roommate.


He scoffed wiping a little drool from his mouth. “That is if you go out side.


"I go outside plenty, I'm not that sheltered." He argued, rolling his eyes at the drooling man. "But I don't want one, thank you anyways." He said, turning to the other, health based stand instead, looking over the brief menu for something he wished to order.

He followed behind the other taking a bite out of one of his hotdogs. His mouth dropped open at the others words. “Dude your kidding right?” He said “Hotdogs... hotdogs are like the best thing in the world! They are more Americana then baseball.” he took another bite chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. He held up his wiener “Dude there is nothing greater then a long manly shaped object tucked between two warm buns smothered in sauce. You are an idiot and a commi.” He said vigorously taking another bite of the hotdog and licking his lips once he swallowed.

He barked a laugh at his roomie as he received his own food from the cart, and turning around to face the other shook his head. "There is more to America than baseball and hot dogs you know, and I still have to disagree with you and your love of hot dogs." Starting down one of the paths through the scenic park, he assumed the other was following along. "I don't eat meat, but even if I did I would never eat one- Do you know how many preservatives are in those? I don't even think there is real meat in hot dogs." Shaking his head again, he plucked a fry from his basket, promptly taking a bite before turning around to look at the other.


"Pfft, not every thing is history people enjoy popular culture more so then they do history." He said looking between his hotdog and the others fries. Slyly reaching out he nagged one and slipped it on his tongue before he could swallow he nearly choked on the boys words. He slipped the piece of fry into his mouth like a dolphin eating a fish. “Never? Ever? In your whole life?” He said before taking another bite of his food. It explained his dinner choices and it made Fabios face sink. He could not image a world with out burgers, chicken, pepperoni pizza and most importantly hotdogs. “I love you like meat loves salt.”He said then looked at Kais. “Did you ever eat meat?”


He said nothing as one of his fries was plucked away, and took another for himself. "Not so much as I can remember. My parents always said they'd decided to become vegetarians shortly before I was born, so I just kind of fell into it." Carelessly shrugging, he glanced over at Fabio. "It isn't all bad, have your tried tofu? Tastes pretty good, and is much healthier than..." He shifted his gaze from the other to the hot dog. "...That..."


Fabio stopped walking pausing under the autumn foliage. His face held a look of skepticism as he studied the other. He bit back his first impulsive response about a cold day in hell and tofu but then he thought for a moment. "I will tell you what." He said picking his foot steps back up to meet the other. " You do not have to try a hotdog, but if you try some meat I will try some tofu, and for every bite of meat you eat, I will match that in tofu." He said as he finished off his first hotdog. He balled the wrapped up in his hand and tossed it into the nearest trash can.


Watching the silvery ball of foil fly past, and land squarely into the trash can, Kavi merely shrugged at the proposition. "I don't really have much of a desire to eat meat, but I'll think about it, let you know if a situation arises." Eating another fry, he offered some fries to his roommate. "They're sweet potato, actually. Pretty good, huh?" He questioned with a smirk.


Shaking his head, Fabio realized he craved some liquid. "Not really, but I suppose you add salt to any thing it taste good." He looked over noting the boys smirk. "Sorry Kavi, if you want me to eat my leafy greens or an alternative to meat you'll have to find one that I like." With that his own lips curved into a smirk and he stuck his tongue out. Fishing a napkin out of his pocket he reached out and wiped the corners of Kavi's mouth. "You know I find it funny that you are a vegetarian who eats things covered in grease, are you suppose to be a health nut? And why aren't you the size of a pigme?. I mean I thought drinking milk was cheating since it came from a cow.”


He swatted away the imposing hand attempting to wipe his mouth, and snatched the papery cloth to use in his own, without the mothering of his roommate. "A lot of what I eat is healthy, and lacking of grease, but every so often rules get bent." Balling the dirty napkin in his fist, the boy made an attempt to toss it into the nearest trash, but as it sadly bounced off of the rim and into the grass of the park, he walked over to throw it away properly. "And you are confused about milk," he started, picking up his pace to catch back up to the other. "That is vegans, they eat nothing that come from an animal. Vegetarians just stay away from the parts that are an actual piece of the animal. as for this whole 'pygmy' business you are talking about, I have no idea."


Once Kavi caught up to him he studied him in silence. He reached out touching the sides of his stomach pinching the flesh underneath his clothing. He half expected to find skin and bones instead of the soft squish. He let out a small satisfied hmph and turned to devour the last of his other hotdog. When he finished he neatly folded the wrappers into tiny squares before sticking them into his pocket to throw away later. The path seemed to naturally take them to the pond in the park. “How do you know if you don't like something if you have never tried it?” He asked finally after thinking about all that his roommate told him. Fabio smirked. “I mean you seem to say no to a lot of things, like karokee, and meat, and romance novels, and children..." He started counting on his fingers the list of things Kavi had said no to through out the week from when they first meet to orientation.


With the hands grabbing at his waist, he swatted them away as he'd done only moments previous when the other attempted to mother him, and ignored the other's proven harrumph. As the other started counting off things he disliked, he swatted those hands as well. "The only thing of those I have not tried is meat, and I stand by my opinion on each of them." Casually crossing his arms over his chest, Kavi kicked at the ground, sending a few pebbles tumbling into the pond. "Anyways, we should probably head back to the dorms soon, I'm sure orientation is almost over, and this place will be flooded with other students before too long."



It had taken Fabio a week to fall under the spell of a schedule. His morning habit of sleeping in could not however be tamed. Often he woke to the sound of the others alarm and listened to him shuffle about the room. He found it amusing that his roommate actually tried to wake him but by the second week had given up and left Fabio to his own devices. Surprisingly enough he was never late to a class and never returned to the dorm until some times after sun down tired and sweaty with his board gripped in his hand. He flopped down into his chair, turning on his laptop to finish an English paper due in two days. Lolling his head back to look at the ceiling he eventually turned his head over to look at his roommate. Fabio twisted in his chair, curling his legs onto the cushion as he pushed himself across the small space. His head landed in the area between Kavi's shoulders and his neck. He tried to peer over and see what the other was doing and instead found himself staring at his roommates computer screen. His fingers gripped the other shoulder as he was leaning forward. “You continue to surprise me, I never took you for a social media type of guy Mr. Bookworm.” He pointed at a picture. “Is that your mom?”



The completion of his Calculus assignment had already been achieved, leaving him only needing to complete the next set of assignments for his science class. However, before he had the chance to even open his book, his mind couldn't help except ponder about his family at home and the possibility of whether or not they'd made an attempt to contact him through the internet. With his books set aside, and his computer pulled up he went on the search of his e-mail inbox, which had collected a plethora of various e-mails over his first week of college. Hardly a few minutes after he'd located an e-mail that his family did indeed send, his roommate was already swooping in to see what he'd uncovered. He was on the verge of answering Fabio's first statement, his attention was drawn away by the finger directed at a photo that had been sent along with the e-mail. "My mother, no," He couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him as he shook his head lightly. "That's Aliyah, my oldest sister."


His head moved strangely between looking at the screen and the side view of Kavi's face. The girl looked so much like the one he was leaning for, he wondered if they were all clones of the same person. “How much older is she then you?” He asked Once again resting his chin on the others shoulder. “Do you have any more? I mean my age?” He wondered “If they all look like you I would not mind meeting them.” He said idly.


Ignoring the other's last comment, and the resting of his head against his shoulder, he spoke up. "Aliyah is...four years older?" Pausing for a moment to count out on his fingers, mouthing to himself as he pondered the age, Kavi finally settled on a thought and nodded." Yes, four. Then there is Fatimah who is two years older than me." Drifting back off into thought, he pursed his lips before speaking again. "And the last two are Hadil and Lamis, they are both turning eight this summer."


He unintentionally reached up and ran his fingers through the soft locks that brushed against his shoulder. He looked at the computer screen as the other explained and counted on his fingers. He wanted to see pictures of the younger ones but he didn't ask instead he said something else entirely. “When is your birthday ? We should celebrate unless you plan on going out with your friends or family.”


The question did not fit alongside the others, but he paid it no mind. "My birthday? It's in a few months, near the end of November, but I was thinking about going away that weekend." He offered a shrug, jostling his roommate's head in the process, causing for the long hair to tickle his neck. Shooing the other away, he offered a few clicks with his mouse to close his e-mail, and shut down his computer. "There is always yours if you wanted to celebrate though."


"Yeah but my birthday is always inconvenient."He pursed his lips together shaking his shaggy mane against the others shoulder. "If it isn't quite exam time we can always go out for a weekend." He grinned twisting so he could see Kavi's face. He fell into silence thinking of all the things he wanted to ask Kavi. Finally he settled on one. "Do you have a girlfriend?"


"Birthdays are not inconvenient, even if they were to fall around exam time," Kavi commented as he reached a hand back to brush away the hair sweeping across his shoulder. "So, I'm sure if you wanted to do something we could iron something out." Reaching off to the side, he pulled his science book closer before idly flipping through the pages, trying to find his current chapter. As the other grew silent and failed to move from his perched position, Kavi looked away from his book to see the other pondering, but before he could question Fabio beat him to the punch. "A girlfriend? Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?"


If he wanted Fabio to move he certainly did at that confession. He wasn't sure if the other was being sarcastic. Fabio leaned forward and examined Kavi. "And shes not a fictional character or an internet girlfriend?" He asked. Fabio pushed away from Kavi and sank back into his own chair, swiveling the other so he could face him. "You have a girlfriend?" He asked again this time with out the lackadaisical jest from before. He wondered how Kavi was able to get a girlfriend. What did she see in him, maybe he was not just books and brains. His jaw slowly slackened.


At the other's blatant disbelief for his response, Kavi rolled his eyes and gave the other a mildly peeved look as he reached to swat away the face trying to inspect his own. "Yes I do have a girlfriend. And she is a real person." With his chair being pivoted to face the other, he crossed his arms across his chest before he halted in front of the other. "You seem awfully shocked about this," He commented with an accusatory air.


"Well fuck yeah. I mean I didn't think you would get your head out of the books enough for social interaction." He shook his head narrowing his eyes at Kavi." You rarely like to do anything fun and if its fun its with a book. So..." his body rose and fell in single solitary shrug. "You also seem... I dunno very apathetic, you do not like many things. Hell you have never tried meat. I guess..." His hand ran through his hair. "I guess a girlfriend is kinda the b.s cherry on a Sunday. you are so strange."



Rolling his eyes again, he mirrored the other's shake of the head as he swiveled towards his desk again. "And you seem strange to me. Perhaps you are the strange one and I am the normal one," He suggested casually as he flipped a page of two before casting an idle glance to his now standing roommate before offering a shrug and turning his attention back to his textbook. "Though, you shouldn't judge people so quickly. You've known me for what? A week? Barring our first run in outside of school."


He laughed. "Sorry dude your right." He grinned "but a first impression is always the lasting one." He stretched wondering what time it was when his stomach seemingly answered for him. "If you can define normal and see that you fit into it then by all means enlighten me dude because to me there is no such thing as normal. He moved to his bed to hunt down his shoes.


"Technically, there is a definition of normal, but it does not say who or what fits into that category, so I'm afraid we're out of luck." Slipping his glasses off, Kavi set them on the desk with a light clatter before swiveling to see the other trying to track down his shoes. "By the head of the bed," He said blandly, pointing to the stray pair of sneakers before speaking again. "And do you truly not believe that normal doesn't exist, or perhaps that everyone has their own opinion on what it means, and there is no consensus?"


Fabio jumped from his chair and turned towards his roommate. “I am sure that in every culture there is a standard to which one compares themselves on a sociological level. It is what makes people then to gravitate to others. For instant a person who dresses in gothic garb might talk to other people wearing gothic garb. Within their clique they are themselves cannon for normal. It is only when put against say an indie stereotyped person, which they are against the paradigm. Truthfully it is why ideals such as racism exist and hatred because we cannot understand another’s cannon. And then there are things such as stereotypes, which are based on an idea, which in themselves have become norms of various cultures, traditions that are also considered normal. I mean believing in santa is considered normal for your psyche. “ He waved his hand in a gesture plopping down on the ground. “So again I ask what is considered normal for you? Because for me there is no such thing.”

"I follow the belief that whatever one does and perceives is their version of normal. One's awareness of normal may be similar to their ancestors, since their parent's most likely passed down their own perception of normality which was akin to their parent's and so on. Similar to what you mentioned, one's approach to their own version is most likely influenced by tradition and stereotypes and not entirely original." Plucking his glasses from the surface of his desk, he looked at the lenses for a moment before looking back to his roommate on the floor. With pursed lips and the tip of a glasses arm being lightly tapped against his lower lips, he pondered more to say. "Though...I do find it interesting that you brought up the fact that tradition and cliques are a cause for prejudice and racism, and now that I think about it further I'd have to say I agree." He pointed the arm of his glasses to Fabio before he slipping them back on in one smooth motion.


Fabio fell back among the floor boards and looked at his roommate for a long time, watching the black square frames fall to his lips. His mind stopped paying attention to what Kavi was talking about and settled for wondering how a man like him got a girl friend. He surmised it was the glasses. They added a slight feminine touch that girls like now a days. After a while he laughed. “C'est la vie.” He shrugged against the floor and rolled over pulling himself up. “so dude I have go to the library in town, ours doesn't have the books that I need for my paper do you want to come?” Beyond his roommates head he could see the beautiful autumn day just begging to be enjoyed.


Peering at his roommate for a moment, he took the time to contemplate the offer. On one hand it was a beautiful day, and heading to the library would be wonderful. On the other he wanted to finish his assignment as soon as possible, and with a trip to the library standing in his way he would be delayed in starting. Shifting his gaze to the books laid out on his desk, Kavi drummed his fingers against the arm of his chair as he speculated. Coming across a decision, he reached out to gather his textbooks before going to locate his shoes, casually commenting as he did so."I guess I could come with, a few extra books never hurt."


In one fluid motion, Fabio bounced from the floor to a standing. His next quest was to find his things nad pack up his laptop. He scampered out of the door with the other digging his hands into his pockets as soon as they hit the cool autumn air. He still felt like he was giving the other a tour since all their previous adventures to the library were by walking. This time, Fabio wanted to save time. He lead Kavi down to the subway, fishing out the amount he needed for the fare. It wasn't until they were on the train that Fabio spoke up. “Dude, I want to meet your girlfriend. I dont believe she exist.”


The silence of their trip to the depths of the subway had been pleasant, but even he knew it was going to be interrupted before the train hardly left the station. And glory behind it was, his roommate sparking a comment of their conversation he’d thought was over. Turning to glance at Fabio with a vapid look, Kavi raised a regarding eyebrow before commenting. “Maybe I will invite her up for a weekend and you can meet her and see that she really does exist.” Brushing a stray hair from his line of vision, he offered his roommate a shrug. “Don’t get your hopes up though, she is busy with school too. I make you no promises.”

[Honey]

“Of course” Fabio said his tone drenched in disbelief. He said nothing more about instead he switched subjects entirely “So my book club needs a reading list. None of those idiots will listen to me when I make suggestions so I need a few novels that aren't in my genre.” His arms reached out catching a pole to keep himself from falling into another person, though some how his limbs kept falling on Kavi. “And I know we are too young to drink but well they need a few more people on their trivia team, I told them I was a roommate with an soon to be accountant, they seemed to have gotten you confused with something else but wanted me to invite you anyways.”



He was surprised by his roommate’s lack of balance on the train, and his inability to simply take a hold of the pole to keep himself upright. Politely nudging the other away, and offering an arm for him to use temporarily for balance he called to question the propositions. “Is that to say you only need books worth reading that do not have a half-naked man on the front? That seems like one of the simplest tasks anyone has ever offered.” Barely rolling his eyes, Kavi turned his attention towards the next event. “What does drinking have to do with a trivia team? And you told them I was going to be an accountant?”


“Pfft yeah, you said you were going to be something with numbers. And... no” He said swaying once again with the train. “I mean its a trivia night a bar, the prizes usually include things they think college kids would like which includes a grand prize of 1000.” He found himself grinning. “You should get out more. Like Karokee, they usually host these kinds of things in Bars. 18 to play 21 to drink...” Fabios face contorted into a childish pout masked with just a hint of a smirk. “I was hoping you would actually come out and play.”


He didn’t even bother with correcting the other about his choice in career, and instead drew his attention towards the suggestion of karaoke. “If you are trying to get me to sing with you again you are sadly mistaken. Never again,” He swore with a serious look and waggle of his finger directed at Fabio. “Maybe I will, depends on where, when, and who is going. Which, if you would indulge me in this information i could let you know whether or not I will make plans to attend.”


Fabio jumped in excitement and nearly fell over again. “Yeah and you are not a bad singer just shy.” He pushed himself off the others chest. Though he narrowed his eyes at the finger, reaching out he grabbed the ligament and pulled on it lightly. “Me, Damaris and Jamie and Seth so far. And it is going to be at some bar down town.” He pulled him self up and noticed they were nearing their stop. “It wont happen uh.. .. um tomorrow night at 9.” He concluded with a grin.


Continuing to wiggle his finger in an attempt to shake away the hand, he pursed his lips in a thoughtful way at the provided information. "I am surprised Jamie is going with you guys, I would not expect her to tag along." Rolling his shoulders into a shrug, he shook his head at the sight of Fabio's grin, and waving his hand spoke up again. "It actually sounds like it might be fun. I may end up tagging along after all." Judging by the excitement from his other answers, he had an itching feeling of the response that was to come from his acceptance in the offer to tag along. Feeling the train slow to a stop, he nudged Fabio off of the train in a way of distraction


“Dude! Thats fuckin' awesome. We are abound to win.” He bouced off the train walking in a lucid dance like motion . “Sweeet.” Bouncing his way up the stairs with the other in tow, Fabio took a deep breath of the city air. “We are so going to win, and I think Jamie has the hots for Seith other wise she would be knee deep in her history paper.” His body continued to gyrate as they walked down the street towards the library. By the time they walked through the double doors, Fabio had nearly forgotten why he wanted to come to the building in the first place, and had a vague notion of doing his homework.


Normally he would have made some sort of objection to the fact that one person could ensure them the ability to win, or the alleged crush. However, he decided to let the other enjoy his moment of happiness and he said nothing and simply followed the dancing fool through the streets towards the library. Only when they stepped through the doors into the musty library, did he place a hand on his roommate's shoulder to signal him to cease the dancing. When he was assure the other would stop, he left in search of books for his report, knowing the original reason for coming to the library


His foot steps idly followed behind Kavi's until it suddenly turned down a row of books getting lost in its pages. Reaching out for the spine he needed he bumped into a passing hand. Each muffled apology suddenly turned into a cry of delight as they both exclaimed a greeting, slowly becoming whispering chattering mice. Fabio pulled the other along both of them grabbing books as they went until they needed a spot to study. Jamie spotted the lone unused table near the windows and claimed the spot before any one else.


The rows of books offered too much of a temptation to only browse for reference texts on his paper, and Kavi quickly lost himself. A pile of books for side-reading quickly amassed in his arms, and once he was able to locate the book needed for his paper, he decided to find a table. He wandered back through the rows of books to the small collection of table, and though most were empty his attention was caught by familiar voices before he claimed one. Spotting both Fabio and a shared friend of theirs, he made his way over to join them.



She turned her head when Fabio gestured fanatically at some one, only to find it was the boys roommate. Silently she tapped Fabio on the shoulder pointing at his book to rein his attention back to his homework and waited until Kavi took one of the empty spots at the table before speaking. “Hello Kavi, its been a while.” She whispered “How are classes going?” Jamie took up her own pen again and with a small click, she started to jot down notes between glances at Kavi.

The first visit to the library proved too much social talking with the roommate and their friend, and Kavi made the decision to return the next day. In all he found two texts worthy of helping him with his paper, and with Fabio’s request for additional stories he could use for his book club he searched through the stacks for a novel or two he knew would deem suitable for what the other was looking for. The weight of the books were heavy in his backpack, but the secret he held in his mind until the right moment to present it to his roommate felt heavier, given the enthusiasm Fabio showed during the discussion of the topic. Still, Kavi kept his lips tight as he entered their dorm room and saw the other sitting at his desk working on something that he could not determine whether it was homework or not. He allowed for the door to slowly swing shut as he brought his backpack from his shoulders, and smoothly drew out the novels he’d found at the library. Setting them on the desk beside Fabio, he offered no words and took his seat at his own desk and carefully brought the information texts out of his bag so he could peruse through their pages


He jumped flopping his headphones off of his head along with his beanie. When he gathered himself his roommate had fallen into his seat and resumed his studies. He reached up, untangling himself from his cords and looked at the books, unsure if he should touch them. Since that faithful day that he admitted to throwing away one of Kavi's books, the other never let him touch his volumes. Gingerly his fingers smoothed against the spine, touching the plastic coverings. He plucked the books from his desk, spinning around to the other and dropping them on Kavi's desk. “Dude? What in the hell?”


Kavi watched as the books fell on to the corner of his desk where they settled with a resounding thud. Stretching out a long hand he took one of the books in hand, and looked it over with curious eyes to find nothing wrong with it. Surely he hadn’t thrown or dropped the books in such a way to upset the other, nor were the subjects or summaries of the books ones that could be taken as offensive. Casting a glance up at Fabio he offered an inquisitive look and a single word. “What?”


He leaned in close pressing his face into Kavi's until their foreheads were lightly touching. “Dude I don't want to have any more books thrown at me, so why are you giving me those?” He reached past the other and picked one off the stack, twisting his head so he could read the title before his eyes went back to staring between the glass lens. . “What are these anyways?”


Placing either hand on the other's shoulders, Kavi pushed the other a reasonable distance away before taking the others books from the stack and holding one out for Fabio to take while he flipped one around to glance at the summary. "I won't throw these at you because they are library books." Giving one of them a gesturing shake he waited for the other to take them. "You said you needed other suggestions for you book club, and I have read these before. Ask and thee shall receive."


His mouth curved into a small o as he blinked and looked at the books. He was still reluctant to that them since they had come from Kavi's hands. He glanced at the titles and his face could not help but grimace. They sounded as if they were indeed something new. “Kavi what are they about? And I wasn't sure you would trust me with your books ever again.”


Looking at the other with an incredulous look me managed a laugh. “No, I wouldn’t and won’t trust you with my books, not after you threw the one away. I expect you to take care of these because they belong to the library, and if you damage them I am making you pay for them.” Setting one of the tomes down on the desk, Kavi lifted the flap of the other and grazed through the offered summary. “This first one is a story of high fantasy and the travel through a fictional world in search of knowledge and wealth.” Trading it out for the other book, the man took a longer moment to read the second summary before passing it alone. “And this one is a novel based on a true story about a young boy’s life of living with an abusive mother and a father who didn’t care, and his story of getting out of the household. You had said you needed a variety and I figured the both of these are just about at opposite sides of the spectrum, nor do they collide with those horrid roman novels you read.”


Fabio slid back down into his sit. Slowing he turned it pulling his feet against his chest, and soon he rested his head on his knees looking at the other. His eyes looked from the books to Kavi before they closed and he found himself in thought. His grimace spoke volumes to his ideas of the books. After a long drawn out silence his lips curved into a smile. “Alright, I can usually tell if I like a book if I get past the first page.” He could not help but feel cheeky “Read it to me dude, but you gotta like read it like your reading to kids or I wont understand, I mean read it and show me the pictures.”



"But there are no pictures," Kavi commented with a tad of annoyance hinting at his voice, simply for the fact of how much of a child his roommate was. When he didn't seem to get much of a response he rolled his eyes and plucked the first free of the pile and flipped through the introductory pages to uncover the first chapter. "It was night again. The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. The first was a hollow, echoing quiet, made by things that were lacking. if there had been horses stabled in the barn, they would have stamped and champed and broken it to pieces. If there had been a crowd of guests, even a handful of guests bedded down for the night, their restless breathing and mingled snores would have gently thawed the silence like a warm spring wind. If there had been music...but no, of course there was no music. in fact, there were none of these things, and so the silence remained." Lifting his gaze to peer over the edge of the book he could see Fabio still smiling like an idiot, though he didn't fancy the fact that his amusement came from childish behavior. However, he still turned the book around to show despite there being no pictures.


It was mesmerizing to watch, the intuitive hazel eyes, that blazed with more brown then his own and the soft strands of black that had fallen into his face. Fabio found himself closing his own eyes as if he were home, in his mothers arms rocking back and forth. His mind drifted to the numerous western romance covers he had seen over the years. Strangely the male lead had been replaced by the voice speaking to him. It was interrupted by Kavi pausing and proclaiming that there were no pictures. Fabio's eyes snapped open before Kavi could accuse him of falling asleep. It did not matter that the text did not contain pictures. Fabio found himself reaching out, smoothing his fingers over the ones that were holding the book captive. “There are pictures, only these are the ones you can not see.” He said twisting it so that the text lay flat between them. He moved Kavi's hand across the small blank page and traced the simple images of a horse and constellation. His head leaned in until it lightly grazed Kavi's owns. “You have a nice reading voice, it is a shame you do not sing or do not like children.” his fingers slid from the back of the others hands on to the bound pages. “Dude, keep going. ”



His eyes followed Fabio curiously as he drew closer, almost immediately reaching out for what he first thought was the book itself, but instead was his hands. While his first instinct was to pull away as they came to rest on his own, he allowed for the other to press the book back against the desk and slowly draw their hands across the words of the page, the simplistic shape of a horse being lightly pressed into the paper, and it appeared as though the shape was brought to life. Though as Fabio withdrew his hands back to the pages themselves, Kavi found the image of the horse gone, only light creases along the page remaining, and while he felt disappointed for a reason he could not address he kept it to himself. Instead, Kavi lifted his gaze to look at the other with the same subtle curiosity he'd begun with. "If I continue reading to you, what will I get in return?"


It was strange. Had the request come out of another persons mouth, it would not have thrown, Fabio for such a loop. His lips curved into a grin and his eyes drifted towards the sky. Finally his face fell back to Kavi's. The man needed nothing materialistic, and he was not fond of Fabio's reading selection. Finally his eyes fell on the page. He wanted to hear that voice again. Badly. Fabio started chewing on his bottom lip, glancing around the room he came upon a discarded jerky wrapper. “How about for every chapter you read, the following day I will give up eating meat.”


Even Kavi couldn't hold back the laugh at the suggestion. "You? Give up meat?" He laughed again and allowed for the book to close. "You fawn over hot dogs like they are the best thing in the world, and the only thing I have seen you snack on is jerky. I don't believe you could do it, not for me reading a book to you." Looking at Fabio again he could almost see a desperation, though there was something else to it he could not name. He was serious, actually serious. Knitting his eyebrows, Kavi held up the book. "You would seriously stop eating meat just to hear me read this book? All nintey-two chapters? You realize that would be three months without meat, right?"


“Jegus fucking christ dude what kind of books do you read?” He said before he could stop himself. He pushed his head against his knees again. 3 months would be a good test of his will power. He wondered briefly if there was something else Kavi wanted. “... Is there something else you wanted?” He shook his head instantly. No trading one love for another would be fine. “No... I will do it for all 93 chapters.” He said reaffirming his resolve.


For a short moment he stared at his huddled roommate, clearly struggling with his decision. He'd expected for him to question it, ask if he could do something else, but in the end Fabio seemed set in his trade. It was odd. However, the deal had been made and the least he could do was hold up his end of the deal, assuming the other would really refrain from his meat-filled treats. Kavi lowered the book from the air back into his hand, where he slowly flipped through the pages to find where he'd left off. "Now then, I suppose we should continue on..."


It had been a week into his meatless existence. With the unintended help of Kavi he was now sleeping better but it did not help soothe his aching stomach. He found the carb full food did not do wonders for him. Each night for dinner he stared down at temptation in the form of a juicy hamburger or hotdog but pushed it aside. It was worth it to fall asleep to the hazel colored eyes, listening to the voice. It seemed as if the man brought the novel to life. Each exciting page turn brought forth a new plot twist in the old west, that soon started to plague Fabio's dreams. Naturally anything he read was mentally narrated by Kavi. His thoughts often turned from meat to Kavi and then to school work. He twisted in his chair, pulling himself closer to the window and lifting it. Stray brown leaves blew in with the dying autumn wind. The promise of midterms had many students scurrying about the campus. He turned to his roommate, craving something else then a story. â??Dude wanna go jump in the leaves?â??


His thoughts were drawn away from the tediously endless pages of molecular make-up and equations by the squeaky sound of the room's window being opened. From outside the breeze could be heard rushing by as it chased after freshly fallen leaves; They dove from the trees towards the ground, landing with a soft crunch before another tumbled on top or they were picked back up from the soft blades of grass to be blown through the air again only to be deposited somewhere only a few feet away. Realizing he'd been staring out of the window his mind was brought back by Fabio's voice, his words no doubt offering him a question. Kindly asking for the other to reiterate, Kavi found the inquiry to be nothing of interest and dismissed it with his single word answer. Only barely had hazel eyes fallen back to the page where a model of a Hassium laid when the familiar whining sound and complaint reached his ears. "Why would one see desire to jump in the leaves?" Kavi questioned as he flipped a page in his text rather sharply, clearly bored. "Midterms are approaching and you for one should probably be studying."


Fabio drew a breath and looked at his roommate impatiently. He stood up stretching from his spot and moved towards his roommate putting his hand over the thick text and its images. “The adjective used to describe that is fun.” His lips curved into a smile looking into his roommates bored expression. It was pretty much a puppy beg to be dragged out of the room. Fabio found a stray sticky note and stuck it where his hands were, closing the book. “If you keep studying you will not retain anything. You need a break, I need a break.” Rather then waiting for the string of protest that would come out of Kavi's mouth, Fabio grabbed the text book and jumped away before the other could grab it. He grinned, pulling his beanie along with a sweater off his bed. Dancing with his items in hand he taunted Kavi. “Please?... Its no fun doing things alone.”



Had he wanted to, Kavi was sure he could have snatched the book away from the other before he skipped away dancing, and instead blamed himself for his secret hatred of the book and it's charts, and his desire to cease his studying. Watching Fabio dance with the light jingle of his coat and the textbook being waved back and forth, his eyes traveled between the two until settling on the face that innocently plead to him. "If I were to go out do I actually have to jump in the leaves?" He questioned with a dull look as he said poised on the edge of the bed, his mind clearly not having been made. "Or could we go for a walk instead?"


The promise of after rolled of Fabios tongue and he strolled across the room to set Kavi's text book safely on the mans desk. He could not help but grin as his roommate begrudgingly and slowly found his fall items around the room. Fabio had nearly forgotten his own beanie in the mad escape from the confined room. As with the walk to the library, Fabio could not contain his bodily movements. He wiggled and danced joyfully the entire elevator ride down and even out the door. When Kavi showed any sign of reluctance, Fabio merely spun around him, grabbed him by the shoulders and steered him into the direction he wanted him to go. Once his roommates feet were working he let go in favor of taking in the cool gentle air, all the while scanning the area for the biggest pile of leaves.



He could have easily said he was embarrassed by Fabio's incessant wiggling an dancing that always seemed to happen whenever he was excited, but instead Kavi decided it was rude and kept the comment to himself. Instead, he questioned himself on why he'd agreed to play in the fallen leaves, but in the end no valid answer was found, and he decided that it was a choice of madness in his delirium of over-studying. pressing his slipping glasses farther up the bridge of his nose, he lifted his gaze to watch Fabio continue his wiggling over to the largest pile of leaves as though he were an excited puppy. Rolling his eyes he followed behind at as fair a distance as he could manage


As soon as they were close, he rolled away from the others back and went bounding into the large pile of dry leaves. It felt like falling on a cloud with rough edges. For a while he fritted about tossing the leaves until he realized that his roommate was doing nothing but hugging himself and kicking stray leaves. Fabio frowned. He rose from his bed of golden foliage, with a crown of leaves upon his beanie. He sighed and walked around in a giant circle until he came behind Kavi. He ran eventually colliding into Kavi body hurling both of them into the piles of leaves. His fingers slipped along his roomates side and instead of the usual scolding Fabio was surprised to find hints of laughing escaping from Kavi's lips. Fabio could not help but grin, and he increased his fingers wiggling along Kavi's side.

He'd been perfectly content having a mutual relationship with the leaves, neither of them truly bothering the other, but his roommate seemed to have better plans for he and the crunchy foliage. As much as the bot hated to admit it, he didn't truthfully see Fabio leafing the pile of golden leaves, but rather was thinking to himself about the approaching midterms, and then the brief fall break that proceeded not long after. Truley he'd been taken off-guard as the chilly fingers ran along his sides as the body crashed into him, sending both of them sprawling into the fiery colored leaves, which only ended in forced laughter being pulled from him by fault of the persistent fingers tickling at his sides. Between deep inhalations of the brisk air in a well needed break from the constant peals of laughter, he only managed few words, though he was sure they got his point across to Fabio as when his breathing nearly seemed to cease completely the fingers halted in their efforts, leafing Kavi gasping for breath while laying haphazardly among the golden leaves disturbed from their winter-slumber.


Fabio rolled away from Kavi, watching the clouds in synchronized panting with his roommate. One large fluffy cloud after another filled his vision and he turned his forest colored eyes on Kavi. “Hay dude are you still alive?” He wondered if his roommate had hyperventilated into asphyxiation.


He'd been surprised to see the blue sky, every day in the slow drag towards midterms having felt the equivilant of a cloudy day, rain waiting to pour free. One in the shape of a bunny floated by when Fabio's voice rang in his ear and he remembered he wasn't there alone. Turning his own head he could see the green eyes looking at him, and with a brief roll of his own he took up a fistful of leaves before pushing them into the glasses-less face.

“Dude!” He said shaking his head off the leaves. “Only I am allowed to do that.” He gathered up more of the leaves and instead of tossing them at the other, he threw them into the air, disrupting the view of the clouds. “If you tell me you didn't like being in the leaves I will never make you do it again.” He said folding his arms underneath his head.


Kavi watched as the leaves floated down slowly, some of the golden pieces changing with the slight of the autumn breeze, though many landed on both he and Fabio, leafing them both speckled in gold. "But if I said I did enjoy it, it would leave me obligated to come out here again," He commented with a suppressed smirk as he batted one of the straggling leaves from the air, and blew at another that threatened to fall on his face. "While I won't let you know my official opinion I will say this- leaves are a nice break from studying."


Fabio sprang upwards. The I told you so was dripping from his mouth, begging to be released and yet he said nothing. Instead he found himself smiling. “Alright Alright, but...” from his pocket he pulled out his cell phone and took a snap shop of Kavi lazing in the leaves. “The proof is in the pudding.” He said tucking his evidence away. “Wanna go for that walk?” Idly his hand started to rub his stomach, soothing the non existent hunger pains.

Though he managed to spring forward to get the phone after the picture was taken, it was too late. Watching as Fabio slipped the phone back into his pocket, Kavi's eyes narrowed into a sharp glare at the other, though it seemed to have no effect on wiping away the smug smirk that had seemed to settle itself onto Fabio's face. Scooping up a handful of leaves, Kavi gave them a toss straight towards the grin, hoping that maybe they could rid of it. "Sounds fine to me, better than lounging in the leaves, after all." The comment was almost shared begrudgingly as he straightened from the golden pile, picking away any of the strays that seemed insistent in making their homes in his clothing and hair. "Let's head this way, there is somewhere I have been wanting to take you, and I am sure you'll appreciate it."

Fabios brow rose and fell and briefly he sat rooted to his spot. “Wait did you just say you wanted to show me something?” He asked and when the other nodded, Fabio found himself smiling. His roommate was too stubborn to admit it but every one needed a break. He was happy the man seemed to get into the spirit of hookie. Fabio brushed the stray leaves off back into the nest with the others. “Dude next time you need a break don't hesitate to ask.” He said sending one wild playful jab into Kavi's shoulder. “So were is the yellow brick road... I mean were are we going?"


As the arm jabbed at his shoulder he was quick to shoo Fabio away before rubbing lightly where the other'd struck. "Jesus, your elbows are so bony, you shouldn't go around poking at people, you'll stab them and need to send them to the hospital." Casually he rolled his shoulders into a shrug as if to dismiss his comment before lifting a hand to press his spectacles further up the bridge of his nose. "If I needed a break though, I don't think I'd have to ask for permission, and I wouldn't ask you because you should always study more. Even if I were to just say I was going out you'd ask and get curious and end up tagging along." Looking down at the path they followed through the campus he noticed a stray pebble, and giving it a brief kick watched it roll down the pathway. "But for this trip it is alright if you come along, you'll be more excited I am sure. The locál will remain a secret until we get there, I am afraid."


“I don't need to study more, I have already retained enough, to much and it will erase what is there.” He teased and found himself growing curious as his feet fell into step with Kavi's. “You however, will study even if you need a break.” His shoulders rose in a gentle shrug. “Makes me worry you are missing things, like the falling of leaves.” He turned and grinned, slightly anxious.


"The leaves fall every year for an entire season, and they will forever fall every autumn. I'm not missing anything by studying during my years in school." Kavi spoke matter-o-factly and gave a wave of his hand to dignify the leave's situation as unimportant. "Besides, you don't need to worry about me, you can worry about yourself and everything will be just fine." lifting a hand he lightly patted Fabio in the shoulder before picking a stray leaf free, letting it fall with a crunch as they pushed forward. "But how are your classes going anyhow? Feeling confident for midterms?"


â??You miss the point entirely, that very same leaf will not be here next year, we may be moved to a different dorm next year. Each moment that past, while can be recreated will never be the same as the one right in this time. You may study but time will still continue to pass, what is five minutes to jump in the leaves dude?â?? Fabio chuckled. â??of course I am, I do not need to over study like you do.â?? He turned his nose upwards basking in the late autumn sun. Turning his head he smiled at his roommate as he idly reached out and plucked a fledgling leaf still clinging to Kavi's hair. â??I mean its not like what I am studying is hard. Your stuff, pfft, so hard man. Things like molecular models and their half life tend to go over my head. I am more of a biology person. I mean who needs to know the atomic number of Hassium?â?? He looked at Kavi with curious green eyes.


Smoothly rolling his eyes, Kavi brushed a hand through his hair after the leaf had been plucked, assuring no others had decided to tag along their brethren. "Five minutes jumping in the leaves is five minutes wasted. Even if you took a break from studying, those five minutes could be used to do something productive." Turning to glance at his roommate, the curiosity ran deep through the forest-like eyes. "A lot of people do. Anyone studying medical cures or developing medicine, or even creating cleaning chemicals needs to know it. If you don't know the atomic number and you attempt to combine a molecule from one element and another from something different, the amount of protons and electrons need to properly react." Intertwining his fingers together Kavi held them up for Fabio to see. "If they are balanced they will combine together and remain stable, but if they are not balanced..." Pulling his hands apart, he kept both his ring and pinkie fingers together and made an attempt to reconnect his hands, showing that they did not meld as easily as. "Then they are unstable and any number of things could happen. But for the future, the atomic number is 108."


Fabio watched his roommates hands with a shifting brow. “Dude there are so many things like that in life. Alchemy, day and night, Yin and Yang, study versus pleasure.” Fabio found himself reaching out and slipping his fingers through the others, connecting with the loose space between Kavi's fingers locking their hands together. “Me and you dude. I just don't understand how molcules can disappear at absolute Zero when as as they become more frozen they gain density, there for its logically inconclusive that matter should disappear at absolute Zero.” He shook his head twisting his body to continue following the path on the way into the city. “You sound like your ready for your midterms, why keep studying?”


He was not sure if Fabio was referring to the difference in skin color or the dissimilarities in their personalities, but he brushed the thought away as talk of molecules pierced the conversation. He nearly came to a halt, but the hand still linked within his own kept him following through the winding path through the park. "Molecules don't disappear at absolute zero though, they simply slow and cease moving. Some even say absolute zero isn't even achievable here on Earth," He comment casually as he quickened his steps to catch up before he pulled his hand free of Fabio's. "Every time you read through the text book there is another piece of information you failed to see past times. Anything in the books or things taught by professors could be on the test, and only reading through once isn't going to give you the answers needed by the time of the tests."


â??It is something I learned in high school man and the teachers couldn't give me a straight answer so that fact has always been ingrained in my head.â?? His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug in a continuous shrug. â??And most professors tend to test you on the facts learned in class since the reading material is supplementary, and dude there is more then one way to learn.â?? He slowed his steps making it easier for Kavi to catch up. â??I myself am an audio learner with a little bit of kinetic learning mixed in. It is not purely a visual world, for some people it is simply hard to just absorb books.â?? A stray fist reached out and knocked lightly against Kavi's skull. â??We aren't all electrons.â??



Again Kavi found himself rolling his eyes as he plucked the imposing hand away from the side of his head. "I don't even know what you are trying to say when you call me an electron, but I will take it as a compliment. Also, to be an audio learner is a gift; Though and through I learn by doing and reading, but having it explained does little in comparison." Letting go of the thin wrist he gave his glasses a small push before burying his hands into coat pockets. "Still, why are you so confident for the midterms? As far as I have seen you sit at your desk for a couple minutes before you are already distracted by something else. How do you know you are prepared?"

[Poggio]

His foot found its way into a stray pile of leaves as they crossed the threshold into the park. He had a broad smile on his lips as they entered the park. Fabio thrust his gangly arms up and folded them behind his head to watch the leaves as they pass. “I guess if I did not have confidence myself doubt would probably make me believe I would fail. I would rather ride the rails of high self esteem dude. As for the audio thing, well...” Fabio closed his eyes imagining the western genre canon romance cover with the addition of Kavi riding a horse. The next words that flowed out of his mouth came with a slight hint of accent that belonged to his roommate. “It was night again. The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. The first was a hollow, echoing quiet, made by things that were lacking. if there had been horses stabled in the barn, they would have stamped and champed and broken it to pieces. If there had been a crowd of guests, even a handful of guests bedded down for the night, their restless breathing and mingled snores would have gently thawed the silence like a warm spring wind. " He opened his eyes slowly, letting them readjust to the day light. Still with his head tilted towards the trees his smile seemed to deepen. That is why he felt confident.



He'd expected facts, statistics, anything that his roommate would have heard during class, but not the words of the book he'd introduced to him mere weeks ago. Turning soft golden eyes to the shaggy-haired boy as he gazed off into the sky as a smile spread across his features as easily as peanut butter over warm toast, Kavi found a frown coming across his own. "Dude, that is weird. It is like you are a tape recorder or something." Reaching out a hand he gave Fabio a light shove, "but if you remember your classes like you remembered the book I guess you are actually ready for midterms."


Fabio turned his head and looked at Kavi. His smile turned into a line that soon turned into a frown to match Kavi's. It should have bothered him, to be called weird but it did. He let the blow land and retaliated with one of his own. “I told you not to worry, dude. Though I still have to read some stuff that is not covered in power points, and go over my notes.” With that he shoved his hands in his pocket and found other things to occupy his mind.” It wasn't until they had reached the area cloaked in the smell of freshly grilled meat that Fabio was regretting his choice to go for a walk. Being walled in a room helped his will power, but the park was like being on the beach during D day. “Hay, lets walk some place else?”


Fabio was quick in his attempt to part away, but Kavi was quick to get a hold on his arm and keep him at his side. "This is the destination for the walk," He commented smoothly as he made a bee-line for the hot dog cart. He was positive that their trip seemed like nothing less than torture to Fabio, but he was aware that the other would be more than happy by the end. "Do you know why I brought you here?" "To be tortured by the worlds greatest food?" A laugh nearly escaped him at the comment, but his attention was stolen when he tried to flee in the other direction. "No, I brought you here so you could have a hot dog. You have been doing well by abstaining from meat, but even I can realize you haven't been feeling well, and I'm not cruel enough to keep you from what you need to feel better "

The emotional roller coaster had led them to the Hot dog cart. He was both overjoyed and yet slightly dismayed. It was like a double edge sword. It would assuage his feelings and cravings, but ultimately he would want more. Fabio saw himself falling off his horse in the desert of no meat all for a mere hallucination. Finally he turned towards Kavi, the shock still on his face, but slowly it turned into a small line before it twisted into a grin. He bounced over to the window pressing his nose against the glass like a child. He opened his mouth to order but then remember the deal, if he broke his word Kavi would not read to him any more. “But I want you to keep reading to me.” He said letting his excitement deflate. The other assured him that the other would not. His eyes widened and he ordered two with the works. He twisted and jumped hugging on Kavi. "Thank you dude, you should eat one!"


He nearly fall back at the flying mass that was his roommate. Even he was not prepared for the excitement from the recently lethargic and ill acting Fabio, but he decided that his high of excitement for his meaty treat was better than not. Easily Kavi pushed the other away, having to pry the lanky body away. "Don't push your luck. I do not fancy eating meat, and even if I were to indulge in the protein it would not be from a hot dog cart." He turned the boy around so he faced the cart once again before giving him a careful push forward. "Now order your dog so we can go, the smell is sickening."


"Dude I have been meaning to ask if that was a cultural or religious thing, 'cause I have never seen you follow any organized religion." He said taking the others advice and getting his tasty treasure as quick as possible. He bit into his long begotten friend, savoring the taste of moist meat between his lips. All of his cares seemed to drip away with the falling golden leaves. When Fabios world stopped moving as if he were in a slow motion movie, he quickly gobbled up the rest of the meat between the buns. Licking his messy chops he delightfully turned towards Kavi. "Thanks man... I really mean it. Any time you need a favor just ask, it is yours ... like if you need me to leave for when your hottie mc hot hot comes to the dorms I am there." Fabio did not want the walk to end. It meant the two of them going back to endless amounts of studying. He turned his feet towards the park side walk and gestured for the other to come with in search of spontaneous adventure.


"It is neither cultural nor religious, but a personal choice. I do not follow a religion, and my culture only ever said not to eat beef, but I abstain from all meat." The brown colored eyes were caught by a falling leaf, the wind carrying it with a determined precision, and yet the leaf wished to defy. It played, and twirled around, and yet never strayed from the path the wind had for it. In truth it was beautiful, but as Kavi turned his eyes back to his roommate the moment was ruined. One would have thought the boy had never eaten anything in his life by the way he choked down the hot dog, and it clashed with the beauty of the autumn day. As did the next words that passed from Fabio's mouth. Firmly, he pressed his palm to his forehead as the other finished his food. "To be correct you would not be there, but I assure you I will not call upon a favor then. Instead I will use it now, and request that you do not call my girlfriend 'Hottie Mc Hot Hot' anymore." Setting a serious look over to the curly haired other he merely received a gesture to follow. Pursing his lips into a thin line as he watched the fleeting back for a moment, Kavi found himself submitting to the will of the his roommate and following after dutifully

Fabio looked at his roommate with narrowed eyes. “Denied! Hottie mc hot hot is Hottie mc hot hot until I deem other wise.” He crumpled up the wrapping from his feast finding the nearest trash can to throw it in. “Thanks man, I really needed that.” Fabio managed to gobble down his second dog while still standing at the trash. Once he was finish and the residue of chilli was smeared on to his sweater, Fabio found himself looking for anything that would keep the pair away from the dorm even if just for a few moments more. His eyes came to a grouping of tents and banners flapping in the wind. He moseyed over to the happening. “Hay Kavi, lets go see whats up.”



He'd grown tired of the crisp autumn wind and familiar crunch of the leaves and desired to return to the familiar textbook pages as well as the cozy interior of their dorm. Fabio, on the other hand, seemed to have other plans, heading straight for the colorful signs and flags hanging down from light poles. One of few times, Kavi actually found himself feeling rather curious to the origin of the banners and commotion in the center of the park. Despite himself, the man found himself following after his roommate without complaint. The closer they drew to the crowds the louder it became. The soft strumming of a more rustic sounding guitar could be heard whistling along with the wind and leaves, and the normally chill scent of the fall was filled with a mix of robust foods and spices. Completely intregued, Kavi did his best to look over the small mass of people heading for the hub of it all. "Dude, is this a fall fair or something?"


Not only did his roommate use his favorite colloquial term, but he seemed to temporarily put aside his aspirations to study in favor of thee small cultural festival in the park. Fabio grinned like a child that had gotten just what he wanted for Christmas. “Why yes it is.” He said directing Kavi to the nearest stall. “We have them when the park permits mostly in the spring and fall and summer. There is also a farmers market.” His eyes fell onto an array of glass beads. While the vendor was helping a woman out, Fabio held a beaded hemp bracelet to the sunlight twisting it to view the designs. He thought the brown looked lovely with Kais eyes, and blinked realizing that his roommate probably was not secure enough in his sexuality to accept such a fine piece of adornment. Like a crow, Fabio was enamored with the shiny pebbles. He bought some and stuffed the one for Kavi into his pocket before the man could see it.



Quite easily he allowed for himself to be led by his roommate, his judgement and knowing of where they were was more than he could ever hope to know. He watched people pass, curiosities and handmade items in hand, as well as bags full of the market's fresh produce. It made him wish he was back home, and he had a kitchen at his expense. He let out a soft sigh as he found that Fabio halted them in front of a makeshift stand, smooth and glittery beads all strung and woven into a mix of necklaces and bracelets. Carefully reaching over Fabio's shoulder, he plucked a rosy colored ankle bracelet from its stand. "These are beautiful, the weaving is intricate." He turned it over in his hand, looking at the unmarked surfaces of the beads, unbeknownst to the sticky fingers of his roommate. "Do you think these are worth the price?"


“pfft, of course not.” He said watching the vendor to make sure they were out of an ear shot. “of course not, but they are pretty, and people must make a living so hence the price. “ He found himself smiling. “Though if they make some one else happy then I am sure they are worth the price.” Fabio watched Kavi a moment longer before his attention started to wane. His eyes traveled further down the place where there was live music. He let the remains of what was in his hands slide back into their spot before turning towards the faint percussion sounds. “Are you going to buy something for hottie mc hot hot?”


Clearly he could hear the jovial music one would associate with the renascence echoing in the back, most likely near the center of the bustle so anyone could hear. Still, the brown eyes hardly strayed from the lightly marbled stones lest he looked up to see if Fabio had strayed away. When proposed with a question he shrugged. "I think I might. It seems like a nice thing to get for her, but I don't know if she would really like it." Turning it around between his fingers again he was torn in his decision, but evetually he found himself placing it back onto the stand from where it came. He turned back to Fabio. "I will look around a bit more, there is always time to buy her something anyways," he commented smoothly as he set his hands into his pockets. "Where to next?"


Fabio idly slipped his hand around Kavi's arm, linking the two of them together. He had a wide grin on his face. He pulled the other down the rows of colorful merchandise, past the home made goods into the giant circle near the stage. The music was local, and not the greatest in the world, however it had rhythm and an upbeat groove. He could not help the broad grin on his face. “Do you dance Kavi?” he said moving his own hips to bump into the others. He was sure he had not seen his roommate so much as gyrate before.


He allowed the linking of their arms, knowing that trying to persist the eccentric roommate would only end in doing something more dramatic. Instead he tried to focus his attention on the home spun and kitschy items that passed by much too fast for him to achieve a good look, let alone contemplate purchasing anything. The music grew louder as he was led through the crowds, and by the time they came upon the orbicular plaza of it all others could be seen dancing, and as the one beside him took to gyrating, Kavi pushed him away. "No, I am afraid I do not dance. The commotion and idea of such...rowdy and raucous actions have never appealed."


“Holy freaking what ever deity you worship dude!...” He could not help himself. Most of the adjectives that Kavi used could hardly describe this crowd. First it was Karaoke, then it was his slow reluctance to even venture forth outside and now this. Fabio felt as though he could not take it any more. He caught the fish before it had time to escape and with his other hand he smoothed his fingers over the side of Kavi's hips bringing their bodies close. Using his own hips he moved the other into a twisting motion . “raucous my butt.... Conservative!” He said with a broad grin. “And rowdy... no dance is suppose to do that.” He let go of Kavi's arm in favor of bracing his shoulders. “Come on move your freaking hips, its not that hard to dance and its fun if you let it be.”


"There are plenty of rowdy dances," Kavi objected, "Think of concerts, they get so raucous at those kinds of things." He found that he'd been hoping for too much when he thought his comments would allow for him to get off the took and avoid the crowd of swingers and twisters and whatever other kind of dancers there were, and instead was pulled closer to his turning roommate. As the hips took their spot on his hips, he took to turn away, or at the very least dislodge said appendages from where they came to lay, but it did neither intention, and he was sure it appears as some odd type of dancing. Certainly jerky. Begrudgingly, Kavi took to swinging his hips to match with both the rhythm of the music and Fabio's swinging when he found himself unable to escape


“I've never been to a concert.” He confessed. “Well not of a major band. Been to a few local gigs at a couple of bars but they were certainly not … raucous.” his fingers slipped from Kavi's hips to around his back side. Together he pulled both the bodies further into the small crowd. “You sound as if you were traumatized by crowds as a child. Did your mother leave you at a concert?” He ventured amusingly. Now that the bodies were closer, Fabio attempted to twist in a salsa like motion. “I bet you have some great moves, we need to go clubbing some time over break.”



"I have not been to a concert either, so no, my mother did not lose me at a concert. Though you are wrong in your assumptions, crowds are not very traumatizing for me." Feeling the hands begin to venture around his backside while puling him further into the crowd, Kavi reached forward to take Fabio's shoulders in hand, and to gently push him away. The pull deeper into the dancing mass of people, much to his dismay, happened anyway, and a dancing twist from his roommate seemed to seal the deal as he found them too far into the crowd for an easy escape. "If I rarely dance how would I have any 'moves'?" Kavi rolled his eyes to himself without bothering for an answer. "I do not believe I would like to partake in clubbing though, but if you wanted to hang out during break I am sure that could be arranged."


Fabio threw his hands in the air wiggling them with a joyous laugh. “Because there is not much to dancing. You just move how your body thinks it should move.” His own body began to move in a motion that mimicked the crowd. “That is how you get moves.” He said bemusedly. Fabio paused nearly tripping over his wobbling feet. “Dude, how can you say you hate something if you don't try it at least once?” He picked back up his dancing. “If you are scared and intimidated that is fine dude, but don't use hate as an excuse to not try something. For all you know you might like it.” For Fabio it was as simple as jumping in the leaves, and he would find away to get Kavi out of his box and into the world, one begrudging step at a time.



Begrudgingly he found himself shifting away from his introductory dancing to the beat of the music to mimic the motions of everyone else in the crowd, though he was sure his lack of enthusiasm was obvious to any looking his way. "Now now, I never said I have not danced before, just not very often or recently. Nor did I say I hated it, just that I did not like to partake in the activity." He watched Fabio stumble around and reached out an arm to his shoulder in an attempt to steady him. "You seem to be clumsy though, is it even safe for you to be dancing around all of these people?" He actually offered a smile at his joke, though smothered a laugh that attempted to emerge.


A faint flush covered his face while he tried to regain his composure. He nearly fell again, listening to the sound he was very unaccustomed to. For a moment he was not even sure he heard it since it became hidden beneath a warm smile. A broad grin slipped onto Fabios lips. Now that he knew his roommate was just as human as the rest of the world he would aim to make the other smile more often. “About as safe as eating high school cafeteria food.” He said as he continued to move lucidly. “You should live on the wild side Kavi”

"If it's that dangerous maybe you should evacuate the dance floor," He suggested with the punctuation of rich laughter as the music paused in its upbeat grooves to take up another with a just as strong beat to keep the crowd dancing. "The wild side does not sound very appealing though, Fabio. Some are meant to take on the persona, but others I feel as if they aren't. Let's take you for example. If you so choose you could be wild, doing what you were to describe as "wild", you are the type of person who could pull it off. Wanting to become a teacher for young children, the energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to partake in most anything thrown in your way gives them a way to enjoy class and learn what they need to learn. It almost gives you an immunity of sorts. Still, not everyone is like you, and if they were to act wild it may not suit them, though the definition of wild differs from person to person as well."


It was some where close to a complement, or as close to one he had heard in a long time, even though it was stated in Kavi's factorial way of speaking. “This is not wild for me...” He said with the blossoming of a smile. Another stray body propelled him into Kavi before he had a chance to gather his wits and make a counter argument. His hand reached up and curled around the others, even his wild side knew when it was quitting time. Sadly just as he had gotten Kavi to loosen up it seemed they had to burrow their way out of the massive crowd. Once they were on the edge of the ring, and the stalls were in sight, Fabio let out a breath turning to Kavi and smiled. “You know, I would like to see some proof of your theory.” He said “I think Kavi has a wild side, it is all up to your inhibitions” Inadvertently he had pulled the other close, not letting go of his hand.

As his heart calmed down he opened his mouth many times to ask the other what would keep him from being wild, surely the obvious answers of his parents expectations and his girl friend but each time the words came to the edge of his throat they floated away like effervescent bubbles. Letting the fingers slide from his, he followed as the other took one last round about the park. Just as they were ready to head back to the dorms, fabio paused, gently tapping Kavi on the shoulder. Warm golden light bathed the park and its inhabitants and he did not want Kavi to miss a second of he beautiful sunset just beyond the trees. “Not every one can be wild, but every one needs a day to jump in the leaves.” He said leaning in close, saying the words softly for only Kavi's ears.

Never would Kavi had admit to his roommate that abandoning the books to play in the leaves would have aided in his midterm studies, though he was sure he did not have to when they received their scores and was found himself scoring better than he would have first assumed. He also accounted it to his girlfriend's rapidly approaching visit the week before Thanksgiving break began, and belatedly remembered he ought to let Fabio know of the impending visit lest it turn into more of an abrupt surprise than it undoubtedly was already. Emerging from his final class for the day he headed back to their door with the assumption Fabio would not would not be too long, and he'd share his plans then.


Fabio unfurled his fingers stretching out to the warm sun. It was a beautiful day and he and finally finished his midterms. He bounced happily down the sidewalk pulling his beanie over his eyes as he ran. He made it back to the dorm opening pushing the door aside the make a grand entrance but stopped at the sight of Kavi laying among his blankets with a book curled in his hands. Silently he shut the door behind him and crept up to the bed. He slid his finger in the books binding keeping Kavi from turning the page over and slipped into the bed beside him laying his head on Kavi's shoulder. Quickly he read a few passages from the book relieved that it was not their shared western adventure. Quietly he wiggled until he was resting comfortably listening to the rise and fall of Kavi's chest and the underlying thump that gave him life.


He was not so unobservant or so far delved into his book that he did not hear Fabio enter the room, and despite his attempt at being stealthy the other was clearly visible as he forced his way onto the bed beside him to cuddle up to him like some kind of teddy bear. Had he been much of a nuisance Kavi would have out a stop to it, but as it was he was doing no harm resting against his shoulder and reading over his shoulder at the book he'd picked up from the library; He made an effort to read slower to allow his roommate time to read, but he easily grew bored and laid the book against the bed, the pages spread out enough for he to see as he glanced through for a place to begin reading aloud while he offered a question to his intrusive bed bug. "How did the last day of exams go?"


He had nearly fallen asleep on the others bed. Twisting his head he turned but it only gave him a view of the others jawline. â??It was fun, I am on the correct career path to be coming the best teacher in America.â?? He said â??Though I think I will study more for the finals. A few questions had me worried. What about you?â?? He wiggled a little twisting so his frame fit on the narrow twin bed. "... also would you like me to move?"



"I thought I did alright. There were a few questions over formulas and the protons over atoms that I would have liked to double check, but the time ran out. Otherwise it seemed to go pretty well." Flipping back a page he decided not to read that page and flipped back several more to find the beginning of the chapter. "If you want to study more for the finals though I would be heppy to help, make sure you don't slack off like you did this time around," Looking down he glanced to the twisted roommate laying beside him before he shrugged. "You can stay there if you want, I do not care, but this weekend you should more to your own, I have a visitor coming to stay with us before break."

He pushed himself up looming over the other as he wiggled his eye brows. For a moment he stared into the others eyes but he got nothing in return but a slightly amused quirk of the brow. “oh ho is that so?” He curled his arms under his head and rested once again on Kavi, this time kicking his legs into the air like a girl at a sleep over. “So do I need to clean and hide my stash of novels from your parents?”


A snorted laugh escaped him as he closed the book with a loud sound, "Not a chance, they wouldn't show up except for graduation." Kavi tossed the book onto the bed as he moved to sit up, "my girlfriend is actually the one coming to visit though, so if you were to clean that would actually be very helpful."


His face was mushed against the fabric of Kavi's shirt as the other re-positioned himself. He moved bac, looking up at the other with a slightly slackened jaw,. â??Dude Hottie mc hot hot....â?? The others nod seemed to confirm what he said previously. â??In the flesh?â?? He watched seeing the signs that Kavi's pool of patience was about to end. Before the other could launch into an explanation, Fabio fully pulled himself back on to the haunches of his legs and ran his hands through his lax curls. His eyes shifted towards his bed and the messy side of the room. â??Thanks for the warning... â?? He didn't turn his eyes back towards Kavi. He didn't expect proof so soon and, three was a crowd. â??I guess the last chapter will have to wait till after Thanks giving.â?? His face contorted to that of a kicked puppy. "How much time do I have to clean out the smell of Fleur de fabio?" He said sliding off the bed and quickly grabbing a fallen pair of boxers as he stumbled back to his side of the room."

[Honey]

He was half amused to see his roommate actually picking up as he should have on a daily basis. He added this to the list of benefits that came along with his girlfriend's visit. "She is coming tomorrow morning, so you have the rest of today, and tomorrow if you could ever wake up before eight." Smoothly he rolled his eyes, "though if you work hard I am sure you could get your half of the room to look immaculate." Reaching over he readjusted his Fabio flattened pillow as he watched the man flutter around his half of the room before he laid back down and flipped the book back open. "If you clean efficiently enough I could read the final chapter though, just as some incentive."


He paused, raising an eyebrow and looking at Kavi. â??Hmm maybe the problem isnt cleaning...â?? he said rubbing his imaginary facial hair. â??Perhaps you should make your side of the room as dirty as mine then she would not be able to tell whose mess is what.â?? He grinned. â??She reads like you do correct?â?? He paused his cleaning to disappear under his bed finding his stash of romance novels. â??If she is a connoisseur of fine literature I can give her a few parting gifts.â?? After a few moments he emerged from under his bed with a smirk. "Well aren't you going to mess up your side?"


"No I am not, and she does like to read, quite a lot actually." A page in the book flipped by as a hand lifted itself to his face to adjust his glasses, "It is rather nice of you to offer her some of your books to read, though I have no doubt you probably have duplicates of some somewhere in that mess." He turned his head to the side to see the cheeky smile and rolled his eyes again before eyes turned back to the page. "I'd hate to see your room back at home if half of a dorm room is that bad."


“It... it is not so bad. I mean you could come over one day. My mom is always asking me to visit since I go to the library so much. She says “ He drew in a breath mimicking his mother. “ Fabio! Why has Stacy seen you at the library more then I have? You don't love me any more.” He picked up a book flipping it over to read the back cover. “I mean I have a bump bed day bed thingy where the top is my bed the bottom is a day bed. Books a desk a nook for my system and a dresser, thats about it. Not much space to mess up.” his shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. “Oh and a closet for my boards. What about your room?”


"It is nearly the same. A bed and a dresser, a desk and a closet- with clothes not recreational boards. A couple of bookshelves to hold all of my books and that is about it. Unlike yours there is plenty to mess up, but I keep it all clean. It makes a much nicer environment to be in, and you aren't fighting to find out what is causing," Kavi set his book down on his chest to use the air of his fingers, "Fleur de Fabio." Sitting up again he set the book aside and left his bed to take a seat in his computer chair, booting up his system without hardly looking. "If your mother wants you to visit more often then why don't you? I don't remember you saying you live far away, and you do have a bunch of free-time. Especially because you weren't studying anyway."


The man was cruel very cruel, and Fabio found himself smirking, as he gathered a dirty sock in his hands. "Dude I do study, I just take time to pull my head out of the nuclear physics clouds to jump in the leaves." At that he flung his dirty sock at Kavi, aiming so that it would land on top of the others book. "Just because I enjoy life doesn't mean that I don't study." He flung more Fleur de Fabio at Kavi before he turned away at the second question burrowing under his bed before emerging again. "i dunno dude. I guess I could but I always forget, I mean I call her after class make sure shes alright, I guess a little face time couldn't hurt. Wanna come with me one day? Prove that we actually get along and I don't steal your snacks?"



"Hey, that is a library book, don't throw your rank socks at it," Kavi started to roll his chair over to the bed to rid of the putrid garment when another hit the back of his head. Turning around Fabio had already dove back under his bed, and so the tossed boxers were thrown back onto the messy half of the room. He rolled his chair around so he was facingthe one emerging from under the bed. "She thinks we don't get along? And you steal my snacks? Well, I suppose the latter is true, but I would not mind tagging along if you wanted me to. I can meet the woman who created..." His eyes looked up and down the lanky body before he made a rough gesture to his roommate, "...you."


He grinned broadly. "Well once she heard you do not eat meat she immedately assumed that I was torturing you with my strange obession with the best food in the world, and thus annoying you. She also knows that you study very hard and .... well... she assumes I annoy you since I am a loaf." At some point he crawled from under his bed, and his shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "you will meet her... But Dude! Tell me more about hottie mc hot hot. Like where did you guys meet and what are her plans after school." He turned expectantly to Kavi, eagerly awaiting the epic tale.


It was clear Fabio was expecting something special from him by the look of his face, but what it was Kavi did not know. "She is in her sophomore year at MIT, and she works in one of the school's computer labs there." He thought his answer was satisfying enough, but by the look of the other's face it wasn't. He rolled back to his desk as he continued to talk, "She is majoring in computer sciences and wants to become a college professor in the same area. She and I met one afternoon a summer or two ago at a coffee shop."


He could not believe his ears. He snicked a little. His rommate was homey and dare he think it, cute. "To each their own, I guess."He said shaking his head and rolling over to disappear under his bed again. "But this is good we will have a little in common, unless she is one of those people that frowns on public schools." He pulled his legs underneath himself. "Is that really it? I mean how long have you been dating? Whats her family like?..." It suddenly dawned on him that she may be older. "Dude did she get enough credits to jump ahead or is she a cougar?"


"Is what really it? She and I have only been dating for a little more than a year, and i certainly don't see what her family has to do with any of this," He thought Fabio to be acting paranoid, and as he glanced over his shoulder to spot him he saw nothing except a couple feet hanging free from beneath the shadow of the bed. "I do not think she could even be considered a cougar unless she were more than five years older than me, and she is only one year my senior. She is ahead of her class though, she is very intelligent."


"Nah dude, older woman totally a cougar. And well I don't remember if her facebook page said she had a sister but I am always in the market." He found something of interest to him and settled against one of his crates falling into a quiet little reading pattern as his eyes scanned over the back of his book. "So...um I've never had a friend who slept in the same bed as their girl friend." He tapped his books against his fingers "Should I go stay at Jamie's so you and her can do your thing?"


"I'm not going to ask her to hook you up, but you are free to ask her if you want to. Just leave me out of it." With his computer successfully booted up, he started flickering around his e-mail, and for a moment the only thing that filled the air was the sound of his typing and the occasional sound from beneath the bed. Only when he'd settled into the silence did Fabio decide to speak. "What? No, not unless you didn't feel comfortable sticking around. I'm not going to kick you out of anything, and it is only for a night or two anyways." He gave a shrug and when he realized Fabio could not see him he thought to add more, "it is your choice, dude."

Though the other could not see the smile blossoming on his face, he felt oddly comforted by the words. There would be no knooky in his room, but he still felt strange. Unsure of how to act around the girl he barely knew, Fabio remained in his book fort as the sounds of typing ascended upon the room. Silently every so often he would crawl out of his bed at the end of a chapter and clean up another small radius around his bed before going back under again. He passed his time like this, eventually crawling up to the computer area to clean off his desk. Once the task was done he fell among his blankets curling up against his pillows.


He was pleased to find the room as clean as he thought it could be when he awoke, and it made him feel better about bringing his girlfriend back to the dorm without knowing the mess that awaited them. He knew it was a fruitless attempt to wake Fabio, and so got ready on his own to depart for the train station in the chilly autumn morning; Pleasantly enough he had awoken well before the rush of students leaving for the fall break and those heading for work, and with the extra time he stopped by a coffee shop to get a caffeinated beverage for the both of them, and his timing was impeccably so as her train pulled in as he arrived. Happily he was greeted with a kiss, and another when she got her latte, and with little prompting from her they were heading back to the dorm where she could drop of her bag and plans for the day could be discussed.


Rolling over he saw that his roommate was not in his bed. He was tempted to roll back over and fall asleep again. Forcing himself out of his blankets he had to remind himself that they would be having a guest soon, and he did not want to make a a horrible first impression, not like what he did with Kavi. Quickly he ambled off to the shower spending a luxurious amount of time under the warm waters thinking of thanksgiving dinner with meat. He realized to his great displeasure, in his haste he only brought a clean hand towel with him and not his full one used to cloak his body. Sopping wet, he ninja'ed his way through the halls with only a towel loin cloth and a arm full pleasantries. He opened his door flinging himself inside only to realize the room smelled of java. He turned seeing two pairs of eyes one of his roommate and the other of hot mc hott hot trying to avert her gaze to something more interesting on the computer screen. He froze with only his body head rising to his face to keep him warm.

He pressed his fingertips against his forehead while turning away from his roommate upon the sight of him in merely a towel while being completely sopping wet, and he knew this could very well be one of the worst entrances he could have made, that is to say unless his towel had fallen off, or he did not have one at all. Still, it was clear his girlfriend was just as embarrassed by the situation as he felt, and he was positive Fabio shared their feelings in multitude. He did not bother turning back around to address the nearly naked other, and instead continued to show his girlfriend what he had been on his computer. "Fabio, go get some clothes on."


Looking around the room he huffed before finally swallowing down his embarrassment. Since the two seemed thoroughly engrossed in Kavi's computer. It did not keep him from feeling exposed as he turned to rummage through his dresser for his clean clothing. Quickly he found something resembling his boxers. He assumed it was good enough to at least have his parts covered taking his time to find a part of jeans that smelled clean. “So...I'm sorry about that, but it is nice to meet you. My name is Fabio.”



"I am Géraldine, it's nice to meet you as well, Fabio," She commented off-handedly as she pointed something out to Kavi who then returned a comment onsomething which caused for her to scowl a bit before she tested a glance to see Fabio was at least moderately covered up by that point, but she continued to give him privacy as she stole his rolling chair to allow herself comfort while sitting beside her boyfriend without being uncomfortable while avoiding her gaze of the half-naked roommate. She piped up again as she half swiveled her chair around, still continuing to avoid Fabio. "Kavi has told me plenty about you, if I was not in town for such a short time I might suggest the three of us go out to do something, but it is only Thanksgiving break afterall."


At last he found his jeans and a floppy sweater to cover his bare chest. Looking over he saw the girl leaning over Kavi's shoulder in his chair and smiled faintly not wanting to take back his property. â??Well that depends on what you call fun really.â?? He said walking over to his bed. â??And if you can get Kavi to do it too.â?? He added before disappearing under his bed. â??Dudette please tell me you like to Karaokee..." He said from underneath his cave. Suddenly he popped his head out from the darkness. "Also Kavi tells me you like to read."


He scoffed at the admission by Géraldine that she could get Kavi to do tag along with most anything, and though he tried to deny it, one look from her gave him cause to look away and grumble to himself as she left the chair to sit on the floor by the entrance to Fabio's little nook beneath his bed where all his books laid, and she watched curiously as he dug through with knowing just about every book he touched without hardly looking. "I love to read, and karaokee is not so bad. Don't tell me you tried to get Kavi to do it."


Twisting from under his cave he lay on his belly kicking his feet in the air as he told, Géraldine the epic tale of how they met. He excluded the bit about throwing away the book and soon went into an elaborate rendition of their first night together and the adventures they had had since meeting. He watched her smile knowingly as he expressed his concerns about Kavi's unwillingness to dance and started sharing her own tales finding it humorous they both met Kavi in a coffee shop, though her tale was not as exciting as running some one over. They continued to bond until a low rumble against the floor told Fabio it was time to feed the beast. He smiled at both Kavi and Geraldine. "Have you guys eaten already?"


Kavi had finished what business he had on the computer and was sitting unamused in his chair at the exchange of their stories. The humiliating story of being knocked to the ground and given the embarrassing romance novel that was not good in the slightest in exchange for his book being thrown away. he noticed Fabio's sidestep around that little detail, and it was unserstandable and soon forgotten by them both as Géraldine shook her head as she finished the last of her soy latte. "Kavi was kind enough to pick up coffee, but we have not eaten yet," she looked over her shoulder to see Kavi still sitting in the computer chair, though now facing the other two, "did you find anything on the computer?" She earned a shake of his head, and she offered a shrug of her own as she turned back to face Fabio. "We had been looking for somewhere to go to pick up something before the rest of our day, but we did not find somewhere. Do you know the area better than Kavi does?"


He drummed his fingers against his face thinking of all the places he knew in and about the town. There was always the stand at the park that had both falafials and hotdogs but the lady seemed to classy for street food. He tried to think of a place that Kavi had not tried yet. A little light bulb went off in his head, and he slithered from under his cave pulling himself up to his feet. "Dudette, you are in for a treat. " He looked over to his roommate. "Are you guys up for a walk or should we take the tram into town?"


He had not cared either way, and instead left the choice to Géraldine who mentioned that she would rather walk to enjoy the autumn day after travelling for what seemed like so long, and so their decision was made. Fabio seemed eager to lead, and it did not bother either of them to dally behind him to enjoy the leaves and start to catch up, both in sharing stories and to the beanie headed one who lead them and seemed more inclined towards getting to their destination than dallying in the streets. It was not until Kavi spotted him picking around through the leaves for what he first thought was a lovely leaf, but was not only that but a shiny heads-up penny as well. "In your spare time you are just picking up luck, that is pretty impressive."


His shoulders rose and fell playfully as he opened his other hand showing the other at least 20 cents worth of luck. “If you ever go gambling I can lend you some of my pennies.” Shaking his head he walked behind both Géraldine and Kavi placing one hand around their shoulders and speeding up their walking to his pace. “Dudes, there will be plenty of time for kissy face, now is the time for stuffing your face.” He felt the strangest sense of dejavu as he walked both of them, humming and wiggling as if he was doing the mambo. He walked them minding their complaints until they were in front of the tavern. “Waalahh!”



"A bar? It is only," she looked down at her watch, "nine a.m." They received the briefing from Fabio that the tavern actually served food early before the evening crowd piled in, and it seemed to make enough sense that they could not complain with the logic, and they decided the least they could do was check the menu before turning it down completely. Reaching out, Kavi opened the door and allowed for Géraldine to enter first before he looked to Fabio with a joking eyebrow lifted. "Ladies first."


He raised an eyebrow walking forward and pausing as soon as he was beside Kavi. Peering into doors he saw Géraldine was occupied by the decor inside. He reached out and quickly poked Kavi in the side He chuckled watching him flinch, and quickly he pulled him away from the door. Mischievously he grinned as he twisted and propelled Kavi into the door way following behind him and shutting the door. Grinning he put his arm around Kavi's shoulders. "Ladies first dude." He said shaking his mangy head of hair as the hostess came to see them to their table.



Even Kavi, in all his seriousness, could not help laughing at the joke, and despite the questioning look he got from Géraldine he did not explain and instead followed the waitress who brought them to the corner booth that he'd picked when he and Fabio came there on their first night. Recalling memories from that night he peered around to make sure the stage was not occupied by singers. "There is no karaoke during the day, is there?"


He shook his head sadly. "No you lucked out. They save it for nights when fools what to have fun. Although I am sure if you wanted to, we would not mind a concert at the table." He said curling his hand under his head and smiling mischievously. Idly he turned to Gerladine who was taking in the rustic decor. "Well I am sure you can find something you like, Gerladine, I mean they cater to Kavi's meatless existence I am sure we can find some for your lady taste buds."


Spotting an old rusting bike hanging from the ceiling along with many street signs posted all around she shrugged before commenting, "I'm sure they'll have something, bars on college campuses usually add vegan options to their menus. There is actually a really nice bar at MIT that specifically serves vegetarian and vegan foods, it is wonderful, remind me to take you when you come to visit, Kavi." She was awarded with an agreeable hum from her boyfriend, which gave her a cause to smile. "Have you ever tried to be vegetarian, Fabio? It is not for everyone, but it can an enlightening experience," she added as she let Kavi take a seat in the booth before she slid in next to him. "Not that there is anything wrong with eating meat either, it is all a personal decision."


For a moment Fabio sat amused. He glanced over to Kavi wondering why he had not told his girlfriend about their little bet. He opened his mouth to reply and then thought better of it. "Well I do eat more of them now thanks to Kavi but given the choice I would prefer a hotdog any day." He said fondly plucking the menu from the table to look it over. "But yes this place just loves college kids with endless money from parental units to spend. "So if you and Kavi met at a coffee shop do you live in the same town? and did you go to the same school?" He wondered while reading the menu.


"I actually live in Cambridge, and Kavi had been visiting with his parents to look at MIT when we ran into each other in the coffee shop." "My parents live in Lancaster," Kavi politely mentioned as he looked over Géraldine's shoulder to share the menu with her, listening intently as she continued on. "We never went to school together, though we thought we would be going to the same college until Kavi decided to come here instead of MIT." This earned a shrug from the girl and it was mirrored by Kavi as a waitress circled around to introduce herself and give them a glass of water. It was clearly a subject not often brought up, but Géraldine tacked on more to try and fix the awkward slip-up."During the holidays we are close enough to visit though, so it is not too bad."


His directional sense caused his eyes to look up wondering where Cambrige was and soon gave up and started a random interrogation of the girl, asking her questions such as what her favorite color was and if she would eat green eggs and ham. Fabio noted with amusement that she missed the point of the question entirely as she started to lecture him on how eggs went against the ideals of veganism. He folded his hand under his chin and just watched her animatedly talk before trying some of her food and approving of it, asking Kavi if he wished to try some. The two soon fell into their own world of inside jokes and catching up that Fabio was hardly privy to. He felt a small twinge of jealousy watch thing them move until there was no more room between them, the soft sounds of secret giggles and the anitodes about friends and family he would never meet. It got to the point where their noses were pressed together, that Fabio decided to interrupt. He flicked a small fry between their faces hitting the back of the booth. He moved around more of his food till he found another fry, aiming it at Kavi.


He found Géraldine's short rant to be amusing, and her patient attitude which allowed her to answer each of Fabio's question, no matter how random. Without hardly meaning to they started to discuss their own topics, and by the time they nearly finished their food Kavi leaned in for a kiss only to find Géraldine pull away. With surprise he looked to see a french fry slide down the vinyl, and turning to look at Fabio he was greeted with one of the greasy french fries striking his glasses and his cheek. Wiping it away he was only able to see out of one lense, the other fogged by grease. Both Fabio and the girl started laughing, and slipping off his glasses he wiped at his cheek with a chuckle before working to clean his glasses. "Sorry, Kavi," Géraldine said with blush from a mix of embarrassment and amusement on her cheeks, "Seems like our attention is demanded else ware. We should probably get going, explore the rest of the town."


He bounced happily out of the booth and this time he decided to walk behind the lovers, to make sure they kept up with him. He led them through out the city, pointing out all the famous landmarks, the best places to shop, the museums. Some how their travels seem to lead them to the infamous park in the city. He had long given up on trying to separate Kavi and his girl friend and had taken to walking a head of the love birds so that he would not have to watch their cuteness leak all over the park. He had already walked off his lunch and while Kavi and Geraldine lagged behind, Fabio went in search of a vendor to find something to warm himself up. Grey billowy clouds had moved across the sky and the temperature was slowly dropping. He turned to offer the pair some hot chocolate, and found the love birds laughing under the trees. He grumpily retracted the offer never heard and bought one for himself. "Hay guys, I think we should get dinner and head back. I think its going to rain."



The girl seemed surprised to find Fabio having come up behind her, and turning around she offered a smile before she noticed the off color clouds floating in on a strong breeze and her look fell away. "I thought I had checked the weather before I came, I guess I forgot," she admitted sullenly, unsure of what would happen to their plans. Kavi, however, seemed unphased, and reaching out to take her hand, he offered his typical nonchalant look. "It'll be okay, it is going to get dark anyway. Heading back to the dorm might be for the best tonight. We might have time to spend more time here before we leave tomorrow." Géraldine seemed to perk up a bit at that, and offering a new smile she linked her and Kavi's fingers together. "Had you pointed out somewhere to eat when you were giving a tour, Fabio? All I can remember is the library and the landmarks."


He shook his head. "nope nope, sorry dudette, but I can not play with you guys tomorrow." His lips curved into a grin. "I was going to surprise my mom by coming home early so we could spend the day together. She usually needs help shopping for Thanksgiving since most of the stuff she cooks takes a lot of time and its al dente" He said rubbing his tummy. " The house needs to be cleaned just in case family comes over and stuff. You two are just going to have to fend for yourselves." He said taking another sip of his coacoa and following Geraldine's gaze to the sky. "Alright this time you guys are going to have to walk faster if you wanna grab dinner before it gets dark. There is a little organic place on the way back to the dorms.



The both of them readily agreed, assuring Fabio that they would keep up if he lead the way, and they kept true to their word. Even though they traveled fast, the storm clouds were always in the distance, almost looming over then as they rushed to get to the dorm, and it was not until they reached the organic shop Fabio spoke of that they seemed to escape the biting cold that came with the front of the storm. Both Géraldine and Kavi were jealous of the hot chocolate Fabio had bought, and this was reinforced by the fact that the owners of the store had only recently turned on the heat and the store was still frigid. "Oh Jesus it is cold," Géraldine said while stuffing her hands into her pockets and standing close to Kavi for warmth. "Let's hurry up and find something to take back to the dorm before it starts to rain, if it is this cold now I can only imagine how bad it would be if we got rained on." Taking Kavi's hand she started off into the store with determination and the assumption that Fabio would follow along and help them to find dinner for the three of them.


Even his stryofoam cup could not save him from minute shivers. He was thankful for the warm of the restaurant, until he saw the menu and its various tofu replacments. There was a small spot for chicken, organically grown non preservative chicken. Looking out the window and rubbing his stomach he gained a gauge of how hungry he would be and his unwillingness to travel farther then the vending machine made him order more then he could possibly need for one night. He found a table by the window while the love birds continued to talk over the menu and order. Pressing his nose against the cold glass he watched the people bustle by until something soft and white landed on the glass quickly melting into a droplet. It was just as Gerladine and Kavi slid into the seat across from him that he pointed it out. "Dude." he said raising a finger to yet another silently falling white flake. "Dudette I hope you brought some winter clothes."


While Kavi seemed unamused at the prospect of snow having already begun to fall, Géraldine seemed happy to see the intricate white flakes as the tumbled from the sky to melt upon contact to any surface it touched. "Oh it is snow, this is so nice. I thought this winter would start late like last year, but it is starting early." Grabbing onto Kavi's arm, she pointed out a small cluster of the ice crystals as they floated to the window and began to linger while it very slowly melted. "You know that if it snows too much then our train could be delayed and we could get home late." "Come on, live a little. It's snow!" "Because we do not totally get enough of snow in Massachusetts." He pulled away as Géraldine turned to look at him with an upset look, and holding up his hands defensively he gave a shrug. "It's a momentous occasion, it does not snow here much." She seemed appeased enough for the comment, and both she and Kavi let the subject drop while they watched the flakes begin to stick to the ground.

[Poggio]

He watched Kavi and Geraldine out of the corners of his eyes and while the girl had her nose to the window he watched Kavi fold his arms over his chest and a smile blossomed on his cheeks.It was like watching one of those old couples in the park. He leaned in close to Kavi. "Dude what are you doing?" He said reaching out and pulling one of his arms away from his chest and pulled him to his feet to accompany him to get his order. "What have I told you about the jumping in the leaves? Its the same thing with snow." He kept Kavi from re guarding himself with a sour attitude. "You are here with hottie..." He looked back at the girl "Geraldine and you don't even want to pay in the snow with her? I know if I had some one to play with me I would the first chance I got. I am so jelly dude. so jelly." Shaking his head he took his order, checking his bag to make sure everything was inside and ordering a quick up of cider


The cashier had his and Géraldine's food as well, and reaching out he took the bag and mirrored what Fabio had chosen he ordered impromptu ciders while checking the bag before he looked up to see his roommate sipping at his own with his goofy smile. "You're crazy, hope you know. But odd enough as it is I suppose you're correct too." He gave a shrug as if he did not care, though it wounded him to actually admit that Fabio: Resident goofy, was actually correct. He shrugged again as if to punctuate his thoughts as he started back to the table and gestured for Fabio to follow. "You shouldn't really be that jealous though, a relationship is not as...what's the word? Special as it is cut out to be."


He reached out grabbing Kavi and slowing his walk back to the table. "Dude, don't even say that. If you were me and you've seen what I have seen in you two you would be a soft jelly bean too. I want a friend that will hold my hand and do crazy things with me and kiss my cheek." He let go and pointed to his face before tapping Kavi on the face where Geraldine had left her mark previously. "Uh... I guess its not just the physical stuff too that girlfriends do and stuff." At that point his own shoulders rose and fell dropping his argument completely as his desires quickly turned into thoughts of jelly beans and then to the snow outside the window. It had started to pick up. As they reached the table he saw Geraldine still watching the snow, "So my mom sent me here overly prepared for the end of the world, if you need a coat or something I can let you borrow it, just send it back with Kavi." He said showing his food to the girl and letting his head gesture to the door so they could leave before the storm got worse.


She was pleased enough with that, and seeing the both of them with the food she claimed that they were ready to head back to the dorm, though in truth neither she not Kavi truly wanted to brave the heightening storm, but it was clear it was only going to get worse. Leaving Kavi to carry their food, Geraldine stepped up to Fabio and linked their arms together. “And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about,” she flashed him a smile, "See if you can name that one by the time we get back to the dorm." She tugged Fabio along out of the double doors where other students were coming in to brave the storm, and after holding the door for them, Kavi followed after dutifully.


Fabio grinned as he pulled Geraldine into a twirl, kicking up snow as they moved. He had no idea the girl was such an existentialist it made him happy. “Memories are what warm you up from the inside. But they're also what tear you apart.” He said drawing from his brief memories of reading the book. “Uh I forgot the author but is it Kafka on the shore?” He said with a wide grin. “Does this mean that I can try one?” He said pursing his lips together and closing his eyes. He found he could only think of Kavi's voice and the book they had shared. Pushing past thoughts of the western he spoke. “Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn’t it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up... Now you must guess." He said as he continued to dance in the snow leading the pair to the subway.



It took her a brief moment of thinking as they twirled free of the flake's range down into the dank of the light-lit subway, but she continued to dance with Fabio in the brisk chill of impending winter."The Sandman! I read that not long ago, it is a lucky coincidence." She only paused in their twirling and spinning to glance at the subway map to see what train they needed, but by Kavi's interjection she knew they had to take the yellow. Turning back to Fabio she grinned as she took his hands. “I’ve never told anyone this, but anytime that I’ve felt sad or alone or angry or upset, I would pray to God to just make you come back. That I would do anything He wanted me to do if only you would walk through my door. You were the only thing that made me feel safe when the earthquakes threatened to break me. I needed you to come home because when you’re not here, I don’t have a home. Guess.”


He drew a blank and as they rocked back and forth with the subway car he asked her to repeat it again just to be sure. After a little encouragement it trickled through the files of his memory and he shouted the Bear the otter and kid rather loudly on train disrupting some of the commuters. They were nearing their stop and Fabio waited until they were on their last stretches back to the dorm before saying his next quote. “Often he rose early in the morning, before anyone else, and poured himself liquid through the sunrise streets, and everything seemed beautiful, everything in its proper orbit, nothing impossible, the entire world attainable.” He said bracing himself with his food as they traveled, nearly back at the dorm.



In retrospect she should have come up with her answer earlier, but as she racked her mind for where she had heard the quote, but it was not until they were tracking through half an inch of snow from the sidewalk to the door of the dorm that she conceded that she did not know. She could nearly see Fabio about to start one of his goofy dances, no doubt for success, when Kavi interjected. "It is from 'The Chocolate War'." Unlinking her arm from Fabio's, the girl turned around with a wide grin to stretch up and give the man a happy kiss. "That is where I remember it from, thank you, Kavi." He offered his welcome by means of another kiss before he held the door open for the three of them before ushering them into the warmer building. "I have a quote now, if you do not mind my interjection into your game." Kavi cleared his throat, "It is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mindbogglingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as the final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God."


Fabio had not seen Kavi read science fiction since that fateful day that they ran into each other. It made him grin that he should say one of his favorite books. “You cheaters.” He said as the crossed the lobby passing by other students that were trying to melt the fallen snow off their shoulders, while others were excitedly gearing up to go and play. “Double teaming poor me.” He said shaking his head and reaching out to push the elevator button.”Its good dudes, because I love Douglas Adams.” Cheekily he made room for the three of them on the elevator going up and decided since Kavi wanted to play to give him a really good book. “ Their restless breathing and mingled snores would have gently thawed the silence like a warm spring wind. If there had been music...but no, of course there was no music. in fact, there were none of these things, and so the silence remained. “


He was not dense enough to forget the opening to a book that good, especially since it had been read from less than a night prior, and so he answered with a smile. "Name of the Wind." As if it were magic, the door to the elevator opened and the gush of warm air from their floor rolled over them as he stepped free into the hallway and started to phish his key from his pocket to open their door. "The fact you thought I would not get that one makes you crazy." Swinging the door open he gestured for Géraldine to enter, and with a smile she did as she snagged their bag of food. "Under that beanie there is nothing but hair and book quotes."


Fabio waited, and closed the door behind him locking the trio into the dorm room. He wore a soft grin on his lips..”Yeah well...” He caught up with Kavi and jostled him. “I am sure there is more then just physics behind those glasses. “ Immediately he went over to his bed, climbing the side to find a resting spot for his meal, before swinging off the side and diving into his book fort. It took a few bangs in the tight space to find the tub he was looking for and he pulled it forth from under his bed. Once free of his fort he sprang back to standing. “Tadah, you can use anything you want in this tub.” He said to Geraldine before walking over to his chair and flopping in it, twisting his legs up to his chest as he spun to watch the snow out the window.


It was charming for Kavi to actually let go of his stern disposition for a moment, and laps into interacting with his roommate, returning the playful push and joining in on their game of book quotes, but as they settled back into the warmth of the small room with the scent of their dinner wafting through and the cushion of pillows on the floor as the crinkle of the bag revealed their fried edamame and soy chicken while the vision of soft snowflakes fell past the window it seemed right to the girl. Allowing for Kavi to leave the room to the shared kitchen on the main floor to grab them all utensils, Géraldine took the time to dig through the tub of clothes. "Thank you for letting me borrow some winter wear. If I knew it was going to snow I would not have packed only a few sweaters to keep warm." She pulled out a soft coat, and holding it up to her front it seemed to be a little too big, but it would do. Folding it up and dig around a bit more. "How is it living around here? It does not seem as cold as it does a bit more North."


Fabio spun in his chair smiling as the girl was engulfed by his clothing, making her look like a rather adorable doll instead of a woman. His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug “It is alright, I mean if you live in one place for a long time you tend to get used to it and it only seems magical to people who haven't been here before. He pulled himself over to his bed where his fallen dinner lay and fished out a pot pie “Make sure you find a hat too or a scarf. And whats its like where your from? Why MIT if you don't mind me asking? He said using one of his legs to re push himself near his computer with his captured bag.


She'd brought a hat of her own, but she did make sure to continue digging around in search of a scarf, and she found one that was a little long, but otherwise perfectly fine. She allowed for her shoulders to roll in a shrug. "It's similar enough. A college town in Massachusetts, very quaint and quiet. It's an older town too, the college began admitting students on 1865 so a lot of the architecture is traditional." Standing from where she knelt on the ground, she picked up the jacket to try it on with the scarf and her hat after she phished it out of her suitcase. "Why MIT?" She snorted a laugh, "Fabio, it's MIT. anyone who wants anything to do with science knows it is the cream of the crop, and having the opportunity to go there is like...a dream come true." Buttoning up the coat she found it fit well, and tugging at it she turned around to show the roommate. "What do you think?"


He eyed the girl as she stood and his face contorted into a frown. “Because you are just paying for branding. A degree is a degree and it is really the teachers that make the difference. “ He said turning back to his computer. “People here aren't just a statistic or 1 of 100 like some kind of borg. I don't t think any of my lecture classes have more then 20 students.” He said clicking on something, loosing his will to rant and becoming distracted by what was on the screen. “Besides the Steve jobs and bill gates of the world didn't need MIT.”



She gave a sound that sounded like a harrumph, but when it was evident that Fabio was absorbed into the computer which contended for his attention, she started shedding off he coat and scarf lest it be too hot in the dorm room before she and Kavi had a chance to go out into the snow. "I never implied that they did. Einstein did not like school and he was an extremely intelligent man. All great scientists are not school drop outs any how, MIT has produced many people out there in the world doing great work. There have been a lot of alumni who have gotten Nobel Peace Prizes for science who graduated from there." Giving another indignant sound, she started folding up the jacket and other things in the tub of clothes.


He turned and looked at the girl some what offend. If she dreamed of that type of notoriety she was certainly in the wrong profession. Most people he knew did not become teachers for fame, they became teachers because they were inspired to help, or they loved children and wanted to help the future. As he studied the girl he could not see any of the awe inspiring things that he found in other teachers and shaking his head he said “Then you are going into the wrong profession.” He said hearing her small rant. “Teachers rarely win anything more then a video spot on Ellen. At least I do not think I need a fancy degree and a fancy prize to become a teacher.”


He wasn't exactly sure if he'd expected the other two to be chummy when he came back, but he was not prepared for the cold air that hung in the room--and it was not from the newly arrived frigid weather outside. The tub of clothes was neatly packed away, and while Fabio sat at his desk, Géraldine sat in the small nest of pillows he had made before leaving, and she looked none too happy. He was left feeling unsure what to say, and instead of saying much of anything he handed both of them their plastic cutlery before he joined Géraldine on the floor and quietly asked what happened.


He wanted to tell Kavi how much of an idealistic fool his girlfriend was, but soon realized that would be some what hypocritical. Wisely he said nothing as he broke the crust to his pie, stirring around the warm ingredients until his attention was drawn to the window. He ate, watching the other students throw snow balls at each other and wondered how hard it would be to grind a rail that was covered in ice. Half way through his pie he turned with some what renewed excitement. “Dudes lets go make a snow guy.”


"I believe you mean a snow dude, knowing your slang," Kavi corrected as he pierced a piece of the soy chicken only to find it cold after their walk back to the dorms, but he ate it anyway. "Is there even enough snow to make one that isn't teeny tiny?" That earned him an indignant look from Géraldine. "When you went downstairs did you see how much snow was out there?" He replied with a quiet no as he reached for an edamame, and when the other pointed to the window he snacked as he stood to see a thick blanket of snow having covered the piles of leaves underneath. "Yeah, a snowman, is certainly plausible. Do we have things to decorate him with?"


He bounced from his chair and went over to the giant crate of things. “Lets see...” He started to tug at some of the neatly folded garments, pulling out a hat, and a scarf. Further down he started to dig into his summer clothing fishing out a pair of sun glasses another hat, a lei and a plastic kazoo. He laughed explaining it was from Jamie's birthday party. Laying out the assortment of items he grew excited but soon noticed that Geraldine did not share, his and Kavi's joy over the potential snow creature. He looked at Kavi “Are you sure its alright to go make one?”


Reaching out, Kavi lucked the kazoo from where it landed the messy bed, and lifting it to his lips he gave it a go and it only ended in a dying squeak before he deposited it back where it once laid. "She was saying earlier that she was tired, she has been up since early to travel out here. She and I do not leave until tomorrow afternoon, so she and I can go out before we leave." He rolled his shoulders into a shrug as he picked up one of the hats to play with the edge before letting it lay on the bed beside the broken kazoo. "Just let me show her around a bit so she has everything she needs and then we can go make our snow dude."


He nodded telling the other he would be waiting down stairs in the lobby. He grabbed his bag full of essentials, the snow man items, a camera and some snacks for some strange reason. Dressed in more layers then usual he walked around the lobby while waiting for Kavi, soon finding himself on one of the large cushioned couches that the student union provided the room with. Fabio sprang to his feet when the metal doors wooshed open with his roommate behind them. "Dude what took you so long?" He said with a wide grin. In his usual impatient manner he walked up beside his roommate, rather then pushing him behind his back he curled his arm around his elbow pulling him along. "All the best snow is going to be gone by now."


"There was like, half a foot of snow outside, I am sure we will find somewhere on campus to build our snowman." Knowing it would only be a bother and end in a playful scuffle to pull his arm away, he allowed himself to be towed along into the biting cold. "When I was in the elevator some of the other guys were talking about having a giant snowball fight in front of the Arts building, and they said that everyone was free to go. No teams, just free-for-alls and decided alliances." Taking his scarf from where he had it tucked underneath his arm along with a hat, the man tied it around his neck before pulling the hat on top of his messy hair. "It sounds like it will be a life or death event of the year."



He stopped pulling and turned looking at Kavi with a small surprised look on his face, that soon melted into a grin. He looked up as if he could see through the buildings floors to their dorm and wondered if Geraldine would be truly alright. Silently as they reached the double doors he pulled a wadded up ball of fabric from his pocket and stuck the hat on his head giving him two panda ears on top of his crop of hair. "Sweeet, dude I think there will be enough snow for a snow dude later." Taking up his position around Kavi's arm again, he pulled him along out the double doors into the white flurry. "Snow ball fight!" He exclaimed dancing a little as he walked. "Your hottie mc hott hot will miss out." He said remind himself that he did not agree with the girl, and his face fell to a frown. "Dude why didn't you go to MIT, just out of curiosity?"



The panda hat looked incredibly silly and cute at the same time, and while it was cute in and of itself, Kavi deemed it as unnecessary. Still, he reached out woth a free hand to flick at one of the furry black ears. "I thought I told you about why I didn't go when we first had our little shared interrogation of 'meet-your-roommate' at the beginning of the year." He took a moment to ponder over the question before his brows knitted together and thin lips became pursed. "Is that why Géraldine was upset when I came back to the room? Did she say something to you?"


Clearly his roommate was not going to make it easy for him by repeating himself. So he curled his finger into his chin in thought trying to remember why the other did not go to MIT. He felt Kavi flick his hand and protectively reached up to cup to false ears as if they were his own. "Dude.." He said twisting his face away as a little color painted his cheeks not from the falling snow. There was something in the deep green eyes or perhaps it was just Fabios imagination. He was about to return the favor when Kavi spoke. The mentioning of Geraldine set him back on track. "Sort of. She says she wants to be a teacher but it sounds more like she wants to be the person that ends world hunger. I have never known a real scientist to take up teaching and win a noble peace prize. Not to say it isn't possible, but dude when you are a teacher your life revolves around education and things like making sure all kids no matter what have a chance to succeed. She kinda got angry at me for telling her that its not that glamorous as she thinks it is."



It sounded similar enough to the thought he'd had in his own mind a thousand times, each time a little bit different given the circumstances, but as a whole it was the same. He was left not knowing what to say for a moment, and settled the silence of being tugged along by scratching at the back of his head. "Yeah, she is kind of...protective? Protective in the fact that she got accepted to MIT so she thinks it is the best school and all others do not compare in the same way. She is trying to," He took his arm back from Fabio's grasp to intertwine his fingers together," meld what she always wanted to do with the school itself and it kind of merged into the idea it is now, which is not a bad thing. She just imagines the job as something much different than it will actually be. Sorry about her though, I did not mean for her to get fussy at you over schools."


Pausing he watched the hands and his roommate. Some how it made sense and yet it did not seem to plausable. "I guess I should go and apologize and wish her luck, if that is what she wants to do then fine, but to be honest she would only be teaching collage kids or have to teach at a specialized school. " His shoulders rose and fell and a small smile returned to his lips. "I am so glad you didn't go to MIT, I would have never met you dude." Taking a deep breath he walked up to Kavi and gave him a hug. "I love you dude you've become my best bro"


He was not particularly sure of what he had done to make the other feel the need to hug him, but whatever it may have been it was good. Returning the hug he gave the other a few slaps on the back as most men did before pulling away. "I am glad I did not go either, and thanks for being such a...rad 'bro'." Holding up a fist as though he were about to give his roommate a thumbs up, he did so with authority for what was called a fist-bump in his attempt to seem cool.


The power of the fist bump made Fabio beam with joy. And quickly he raised his fist joining their knuckles into one. "Yeah! dude lets go kick some ass!" He said rather pumped with excitement. He released Kavi from the hug and took up tugging on to his hand again this time bouncing as happily as he ran. The excitement continued to fuel him as they reached the war zone with flying white balls every where. At last he abandoned Kavi's hand scooping up some of the white fluff and joining seamlessly into the fray.


By the time they returned to the dorm it was well past dusk, and the both of them were covered in a brushing layer of white snow while being soaked by what was left of snowballs thrown in the war. "That was awesome, man. They have to have more of those the next time we get snow," In a companionship manner, he wrapped an arm would the other's shoulders as they stepped into the elevator, "If we were not all going home for Thanksgiving I would suggest we organize another snowball war for tomorrow, but everyone will be clearing out."


A loud laugh rang out echoing through the near empty halls as he buried himself in the warm under Kavi's arm. "Oh we will have plenty of snow to do this again." He said twirling their bodies as they walked, changing their direction so that instead of going to their room they headed to the lobby. He sniffed the air grinning. courtesy of the RA there were packs of hot chocolate and brewing water. "Dude would you like a cup?" He said finding some stryofoam and spoons. "Also should we bring hottie mc hot hot some?"


Unraveling his arm from around the other's shoulders, he gladly accepted one of the offered spoons and cups before he took another pair, "I think she would gladly enjoy some if we brought it. Thank you for the reminder and suggestion." He failed to mention that he had quite possibly forgotten that Géraldine had been waiting for them in the dorm, and while he felt incredibly guilty for doing so he hoped that their gesture would get her to forgive them--namely him. "So I remember before that you mentioned that Thanksgiving day was one of stuffing yourself to the brim with your mother's food, but what other kinds of plans do you have for this break?"


He looked around surprised that Kavi remembered. "Well... aside from the massive food fest?" He stared in the rich chocolate drink in his hands before looking around and finding some canned whip cream. "I suppose I will be catching up on my assignments and some readings." Idly topping his cup with a perfect little swirl he offered the can to Kavi. "I guess I will try to find myself a job for winter break, earn some extra cash for next semester or beg one of my moms friends for an under the table spot. What about you and Geraldine? I mean do you guys even celebrate traditionally?" It was then that he took a hearty sip of his drink, leaving a white mustache across his upper lip.




He used the table as assistance to set down both of the cups before lathering the tops liberally with whipped cream. "Are you trying to imply that because I am Indian I do not celebrate Thanksgiving?" He could hardly even say it with a straight face before he picked up both of the Styrofoam cups with a snort, "Géraldine's parents celebrate it the 'traditional' way with turkey, stuffing, and football, or whatever else, so she and I tend to hang around their house for the holiday." One of the cups was close to leaking over, and tipping it to his head Kavi drank enough so that it remained steady. "I would not say my family celebrates it 'traditionally', but it is not as though we do nothing for the day. Food differs and customs change, but it is still Thanksgiving."

[Poggio]

Fabio opened his mouth, ready to apologize but Kavi quickly turned it inot joke. He smiled listening to the man as he schooled him on both his and his girlfriends traditions. It was understandable they would not celebrate in the traditional american sense but it sounded like fun none the less. Rising from his perch, Fabio walked across the room. "I dunno I would rather be around all that India food then turkey and stuff. Especially if there is football..." He grinned "Also dude..." He walked over to the table and grabbed a napkin with his hand. Gently he rubbed the ball of Kavi's nose before moving to the sides of his mouth rather gently. "You had a little whip cream on your nose." A warm smile spread across his lips, as he raised his cup in a cheers gesture.



Had he a free hand he would not have had the other wipe his face as though he were a mere child, and instead he had to suffer in silence while the other felt the need to wipe his face. He did not speak until the other ceased with the napkin and they bumped their styrofoam cups together in mock cheers. "Careful what you wish for. If it was typical Indian food I would agree with you wholeheartedly, but it is my mother's coking and...well, I will just say I would much rather attend a 'traditional' Thanksgiving dinner." Offering a shrug, he rolled his shoulder in a sign that they begin to head back to the rooms before drinks got spilled.


Fabio laughed walking down the hall and to the dorm. He pulled his cup to his lips as he fished out his keys. "If your saying your mom only cooks coal then I say you should come over my house once. Or better yet." He paused before entering his room twisting so he could look at the man. "You could cook for us. " He grinned. "I know you said you aren't that good but I am sure you aren't as bad as you think." He leaned in close to Kavi. "You should take time out of physics to take a cooking class, you would really enjoy it and who knows they say food is like science anyways." He said as he twisted the knob pushing his way into the room


With the classes having temporarily come to a break forThanksgiving, his return to the school left him without new material to focus on while he had to adjust from the period of leisure from break back to what would soon be a renewed time of studying for tests in the impending winter months before their longer reward of Christmas. With his bag on his shoulder, he unlocked the room door to the room exactly how he had left it, looking as prim and proper as he could manage despite Fabio's slight mess that always remained even after cleaning. The fleur de Fabio remained as well which led him to be unsure if his roommate had arrived before him or the stench had merely increased in the enclosed room during the time away. Letting the heavy door shut behind him, his bag slid from his shoulder before he went to switch on his computer and crack open a window to clear the air despite the chill in the air.


He was stuck trying to pull his bag through the door. His mother had stuffed him with things he would not need and hopefully with in the weeks before winter break he would be able to get rid of. At last he dislodged himself and stumbled past the giant wood door to see his roommate idly clicking about some things on his computer. As quietly as he could he lugged the bag over to his fort happy to crawl underneath its secretive caverns once more. He started to pile his new collection on top of the old. At last he came to a wrapped parcel and crawled from under his bed. He walked over to Kavi and found himself sinking on to the mans thigh. "Kavi stop reading porn I have something for you. Its a late birthday gift." He said handing the heavy block to the other. "Open it, I bought it with my part time job."


The fact that Fabio thought he was quiet enough that he would not be noticed was enough to laugh at, but as the other was wishing to keep silent for the time being he would not object. He had hardly opened an e-mail from his sister before he both saw and felt Fabio making himself comfortable on his lap which made him question what type of job it was that his roommate had gotten. "When did you get a part-time job?" He questioned as he accepted the heavy block of a gift with a soft thank you. Gingerly he picked at the edge of the wrapping paper, which he found wrapped very neatly, to reveal an edge that proved it was a book. He remarked at that again before pulling the rest of the paper to reveal a familiar looking book that he could only recall from before college. "Oh that is amazing, thank you for replacing it. You did not have to replace it you know, I was just giving you a hard time."


Seeing the smile on Kavi's face caused a chain reaction with in his own. "I told you I had an aunt that needed some seasonal help.She let me aboard. Its just for the winter so weekends until school is out and then mostly until school starts back up full time. " He pushed himself up and rolled off Kavi into his own chair boucning as it wobbled over to his desk. "And I know but dude, it was partly so you would read it to me." He said turning his full attention to his screen. "So how was your thanksgiving?"


He snorted a laugh, "But I thought it was so boring to read on your own that was the reason you gave for throwing it away. What would me reading it do any differently?" He flipped over the book in his hands to feel its' heft and re-read the summary printed on the back cover and as he did so he did his best to describe Thanksgiving. "It was nice. Aliyah came home for the holiday too and most everyone was excited for it." Carefully he set the new book onto his desk while folding the wrapping paper up as neatly as it would allow. "The food was burnt, we ended up having to cook again and it turned out alright. Was your Thanksgiving filled with as much food as you claim your mother makes?"


He was glad the other was distracted by other questions and behind him. He hid the smile and the faint red on his face. It saved him from having to admit that he simply wanted to hear the other speak and read something. "Yes and I brought most of it with me if you want to try some of my moms cooking." He twisted out of his chair and disappeared briefly under his fort only to haul out various Tupperware containers. "I tried to tell my mom we had no space to store it and she goes..." He smacked his lips " Well then I guess your roommate will just have to learn to eat meat." He shook his head. "I think she still thinks of being vegetarian as a religion in which I can easily convert you." He said "But there are lots of veggie dishes, pastas and stuf." He said offering him a lidded bowl.



He laughed at the mimic which surley was a dead on example of Fabio's mother given his mimicking skills. As a tupperware container was offered to him, he accepted it and tried to look in on the frosted plasic in a search of finding what wa inside. "I do not know how I would tell your mother no if she offered me a dish with meat, but I do not know how I would explain my vegetarianism in such a way that she would deem it silly and tell me to eat up either." Peeling the lid off of the tupperware, Kavi was met with the rich smells of herbs and garlic, and as he looked at what was inside it was either pasta or a thinly sliced vegetable dish. "This smells delicious, I can only imagine what your house smelled like during the holiday."


A small snort came from his mouth. “Tell her the same thing I say when I don't want to do anything. 'I'm sorry but no.' I can usually add the I love you but don't let her gult trip you Dude, and boy shes a pro at it. “ He fell into his own chair cradling a Tupperware container of fried ravioli stuffed with cheese and spinach. . He watched with baited breath, knowing how Kavi was a picky eater. Nothing was given away by the face as it poked and chewed. Giving up he spun his chair around to his computer and turned it on. "I dunno, for thanksgiving she bought some orange potpourri . It mostly smells like cooking dough in our house and old books.” Fabio found himself picking up his roommates habit to end a conversation, and simply shrugged. He fell into silence as he clicked the reading assignment he was suppose to read days ago.



"Don't say she is a pro at it until you have met my sister, I bet she could run circles aroudn your mother's guilt tripping," Taking another bite of the delicious dish he was glad that Fabio was willing to share, and the idea reminded him of what he'd brought back with him as well. Leaving the tupperware on his desk, he rolled to his bed where his luggage still lay. Unzipping one of the pockets he phished through until he found a small zipbloc bag of his own, and after a brief inspection hedeemed it worthy enough to share. Smoothly he rolled back to his desk with a brief spin around before setting the bag on the corner of Fabio's desk and gently slid it forward before returning to his own desk seemingly unfased.


He heard his roommate moving but did not look away from his computer screen until he saw the clear plastic bag slid on his desk. Raising a brow he peered into the package before sliding out one of the cookies. It w as slightly mushed and the center had nearly lost its swirl. Bringing it to his nose, Fabio sniffed the cookie before gingerly licking the meringue. It was nice and creamy. He took a bite, making his taste buds happy.“Dude... these are so good and not burnt. Did you lie to me about your mom?” He said taking another one before sliding back and turning to put the bag on Kavi's desk.


When the bag was offered back to him, he refused it and gently pushed it back onto Fabio's desk. "They are for you, and no my mother is still a terrible cook. I was the one who made them," Nonchalantly he rolled his shoulders into a shrug as he turned away from his roommate and his attention fell back onto his new book. "I thought a little bit about what you said the night before break, so while I was home I did a bit of cooking and mulled it over." Flipping open the cover he turned through the introductory pages and over the dedications to the first chapter before flipping through the remainder of the pages in one fell swoop. "I haven't really made a decision, but I am still thinking about it."


He looked at the bag, slipping another between his fingers, Fabio inspected his roommates handy work. The look very much off set the taste and he had to resist eating them all at once. Once they were gone, he would have no more. Silently he slid the cookie back into its container and twisted so he could see Kavi in the edges of his vision. “What did I say?... oh Oh about doing something you love?” He said shaking his head with a warm smile. “Dude if this anything to go by you are one hell of a talent already. If you did not want to deal with molecules then you have a pretty good fall back career making me a happy roommate.” He said letting his teeth sank into the other half of his cookie. Turning fully he reached out and playfully punched Kavi in the arm.


He accepted the playful punch before returning the gesture and sitting back in his chair. "You're really bad at trying to guess my desired career, you know, but you are making process. You no longer believe that I am trying to become an accountant," turning his head to the side he gave a slightly annoyed look. "I would not call it a fall back career though, it is just...a hobby perhaps? I do not know what it could be described as."


He felt a little disappointed such greatness would only be a hobby. Saying nothing he rubbed the spot touched by Kavi with a grin. Idly he wondered if Geraldine would ever get the pleasure of eating such fine cookies. He did not ask, wanting to remain special in his mind. Instead Fabio turned back to his computer. He started his reading assignment again, trying to focus on the text. After some pages he idly wondered. “Have you signed up for classes already?”


"Actually, no. The counselor thought I was taking too many classes and told me to look over my classes and replace one of them with a non-math or science course," He had taken the silence to begin reading the book he'd been given, and had barely finished the first chapter when he looked up to his roommate when he idly questioned. "I was supposed to go in tomorrow morning, why do you ask?"


Fabio turned to thought, some how he was going to get more free food out of this so help him. Idly he looked down and pinched his stomach, folding together what little belly fat he had. Turning to Kavi he gave him his usual grin. "Well sir I'm glad you asked." He said. "Dude I have registered for most of my classes but I need one more credit. I have a few free electives that I can choose from." In a swift motion he twisted Kavi's chair so the other could see him. "You need a non brainy class right? Lets take one together. It will be fun, I will learn something and you will just be amazing..." His grin broadened to include his teeth. "Its a win win"



"I was planning on taking another class where I could learn of something else more appropriate towards my future career," Swivelling his chair away, Kavi pushed away one of the arms which blocked his way so he could rise from his chair. "Cooking is not an important class to me. Besides, why spend all of your electives in your Freshman year, you should work on necessary classes now and take advantage of them in a later year." Rummaging through his luggage did not produce more baked that time, but instead the things he'd packed for break, and he began to put it alll away in their appropriate spots.


He opened his mouth, closed it and at last stopped watching his roommate busy himself and turned back to his own reading. Curling his fist under his head, he some what pouted. Finally gathering his thoughts he spoke some what childishly. "Dude it is not a waste, one class per year where I don;'t have to learn rules and regulations is fine. Besides..." He idly picked up the rest of his uneaten cookie and put it in the bag. "Remember what I told you about jumping in the leaves?" With that he slid his head phones back on his head and started to read, this time taking notes.

The following morning he found himself awake before his roommate, as was typical. He went on about his morning with getting ready for the day, but as there were still a couple of days before their break was entirely over, he prepared his things for the guidance counselor's office instead. He'd given his thought over the words of the other the night before, and as he studied his schedule he did realize that while the prior classes were easy, the upcoming semester would only be harder and perhaps a simpler class would have been a better choice. He marked down the cooking class on his application form as he departed from the room to travel across campus to the counselor's office.


He was awoken by the sound of the key being turned to lock him inside. With his cover barely shielding him from the light, Fabio lay in thought. With a sigh he pushed away his blankets realizing that Kavi was correct in his assessment. If he were to slack now there was no telling how it would effect his future habits and his work in the class room. Showering and dressing, Fabio sneaked away to change his schedule before ultimately spending more time on his homework in the library.


Classes resumes, and the once energized students who'd returned from Thanksgiving break were now falling back into the dull and monotonous rhythm of homework, essays, and studying. Even the weather seemed to agree with everyone's attitudes, the typically crisp chill of the fall was turning into bitter cold with biting winds and not much snow to show for winter just yet. The only temporary relief people enjoyed were break in work and when Fridays came to bestow everyone the temporary freedom for a couple of days, and as that day was a friday the campus buzzed plesantly with activity while people tried to decide what to do with their weekend. Following the rush of students from the classroom, he left the day of lectures behind in favor of the warm and cozy interior of the library where he could study in peace.


The count down slowly began. Soon all of the students could feel it too as teachers rushed to cram the last of any lesson into their students head. Fabio was among those feeling the crunch. It seemed that no amount of studying saved him from having his classes empty out of his head. He crammed, trying to recall much while taking in as many new things as his teachers would bare to push on them. The closer it got to finals week the more his desk lamp buzzed away in the midnight hours. The weekend before the end, Fabio found himself jittery crashing from the pile of candy wrappers that lay piled on the corner of his desk. Many of his papers were close to being finished yet felt as though they were still so very far away. Twisting from the corner of his eyes he could see his roommate. Calmly scribbling things out before flipping through the pages of his book to find yet another answer. Fabio turned and looked out the window. The sno was yet again cascading from the sky. Reaching up he pulled his head phones off his ears. "Dude, I need a break lets go out and get some food."


Attention broke away from his book when the other spoke, and he had to ask for Fabio to reiterate until he agreed. "You know, I was going to suggest that. As much as you may think and hope candy is a balanced meal, it is not." With a soft sound of the book being closed, he took a second look at the pile of candy wrappers spilling out of the trashcan before removing his glasses to wipe the lenses clean. "You should clean those up, that is simply excessive."


Plucking one of the rappers from its dirty nest, Fabio folded it into a little foil crown. Twisting he placed it on Kavi's head before pausing to stare out the window. His attention was caught by the soft white flakes dancing down lightly kissing the glass that protected the boys. In a quick movement he turned jumping out of his chair, stretching as he hopped towards his bed. “I will clean when the fat lady sings and its all over.” He said with a yawn. Ambling over to his pile of clothing, he fished out what smelled decent. Suddenly Fabio stopped letting his soiled boxers slip from his fingers. “DUDE” He exclaimed. “lets go have dinner with my mum, since you will be leaving for winter break right? And she wants to meet you.”


He felt the wrapper touch his head, and gently pulling it from his hair he inspected the worksmanship of the tiny crown before neatly setting it aside. "It seems like short notice to go visit for a meal, and I thought she lived farther away than you are making it seem," Kavi commented smoothly as he slid to stand from his bed. "Besides, I do not know if I am prepared for the rush of meat-based foods which will be offered to...'sway me' from my devilish was of not consuming meat."


His brilliant plans were crushed under the weight of reality and he pouted, biting his lower lip roughly as he folded his arms over his chest. Marching over to Kavi he took his tiny crown back, “You just do not want to eat good food.” He said half sardonically before going back to find clothes. It wasn't until he had flung on a floppy sweater that he spoke again. “Then you get to choose were we get food” Immaturely he stuck his tongue out before digging for his pants and beanie. “.... you get to pay for it too... and I will owe you one.”



In mock condiseration Kavi rubbed at his chin of non existant stubble, "Seems fair enough, though if you really did want to go to you mother's you could plan for a day on the weekend or after finals. I would not mind going with you if you wanted me to." He mirrored Fabio's search for his own hat and coat to protect himself from the cold of the winter. "If you thought she'd like it, I could make more of those cookies from break to take to her. Assuming she would not have already stuffed us with food." Stepping to the door he grabbed his room keys and wallet before opening the door and offering for the other to leave first.


The mention of the cookies were enough to keep him from saying anything further. He followed behind Kavi, making sure to lock the door as they escaped into the elevator together. "Dude that would be fantastic. It would keep her from trying to convert you to a meat lover." He said with a slight jostle and nudging of his arms. As the box descended he pulled his beanie down over his crop of hair and his ears. "Though I don't really have any plans for winter break do you?" He wondered as they walked through the bustling common area and out the double doors into the white washed world. "Also where are we going?"

[Honey]

"You remind me of my little sisters asking questions. For winter break I do not have any plans though. I thought about going home again but I have yet to decide." While Fabio pulled on his hat he pulled on his pair of gloves, "And tonight I thought of that pub we end up frequenting even though the food is greasy and it is often full of drunk college kids at night. With finals approaching I believe that it will be less busy than it usually is." He felt the chill of the wintry breeze as snowflakes blew into the common room and at then, covering each of them with a light sprinkle of the delicate flakes before continuing into the world of snow. "Maybe we could do something over break."


He breathed in the fresh winter air, and as soon as the light hit his eyes he found himself squinting, not used to being outside in the middle of finals. The fresh air was a welcome change to the dust drummed up by his computers fan the the smell of text books. He was starting to feel like his old self again as they trudged through the snow. "If my aunt does not keep me in slave labor over the winter then sure. ... or you can come do work for her too. I usually get 600 dollars during break." By the time they reached the path towards the city, Fabio could not keep himself from wiggling excitedly. "As for the college kids... well tis the Friday before finals, the last hurrah! I am sure there are some that aren't melting there brains." He did not mention the fact that it was Karokee night in the infamous hot spot. The very same night he and Kavi first had dinner nearly 6 months go. He jumped a little, as his hands withdrew from his pocket and landed on Kavi's shoulders, urging the man to move faster.

"I don't recall if you ever actually told me what job your aunt offered you, what was it again?" It seemed his answer would have to wait as the impatient hands began to shove him along the snowy side-walks because their already brisk pace was not quick enough. "And just to clarify, if students are not melting their brains of studying for finals, they are melting them by drinking alcohol and partying." Much more quickly than he would have thought, they appeared at the bar they frequented so often. From the door you could hear shouts and loud conversations taking place, as well as the common white sound of a college campus, that being the clank of glasses. Swatting Fabio away, he began to push one of the swinging doors open before he spotted two students singing loudly on stage and he came to realize it was karokee night. Backing up he let the door close, "Let's try somewhere else."


There was no way he would let the introvert have his way, not with the allure of music and the call of a Philly cheese steak on the line. Twisting his fingers into the others he pulled the reluctant roommate into the crowded pub as cheers roared off and the crackle of pool balls consumed them. "What did you say Kavi? Can we try a different table?" He said as the door shut behind them and more people jostled in out of the cold sandwiching them with no escape. His grinned widened. "Awe come on Kavi, your favorite nook is open, it shouldn't be too loud there." Bouncing some what happily he continued to try and urge the other to their corner. A passing waitress made his stomach growl and he gave Kavi a pleading looking when the other had not moved far from the entrance despite his efforts. "Dude? No last hurrah?" He said looking rather like a dejected puppy.


Already he could see the hurt in the eyes, so practically portraying the puppy dog look he thought he might actually begin to cry. Petulantly, Kavi sighed deeply as his hand came to rub at his temples befoer he crossed the crowded floor to their booth off to the side where Fabio was eagerly awaiting. "Don't do that puppy-dog look anymore, we will stay under one condition," he held up a single finger as he slid onto one of the sides of the booth, "You won't drag me up there to sing karokee, not matter how much you want to."


"Dude its a deal." He said, twisting so he could see the fools on the stage. Happily Fabio bounced in his seat as a waitress came and asked them what they would have to drink, and pass out menus. In his vigor he ordered something dark frothy and imported for the both of them, promising to pay for the drafts himself as long as Kavi paid for the food, and that it would be just one pint. Once they got their drinks, Fabio felt it was time to confess. "I'm going to be a mail room clerk, delivering mail about an office, packages and stuff. Maybe a little data entry when they get overwhelmed with Christmas donations. My aunt works for one of those charities that like to give to children, and their busiest time is during Christmas." He said "We could always use another able body doing data entry and taking calls, or another mail boy so the old ladies will stop pinching my cheeks." Out of the pure memory Fabio reached up and rubbed his face.


Lifting the glass closer he gave a deep brew a sniff to find it just as rich smelling as domestic ales if not more so, and giving it a taste he found it tasting heavily of hops. "That does not sound as bad as you make it seem, I bet the old ladies are nice even if their fingers threaten to give you permanent dimples," Threateningly he pinched his fingers together at Fabio. "If you guys would really need the help I would be happy to oblige, assuming I wouldn't be intruding."


He thought about it, it would be exciting to have another body in his house for Christmas, let alone his roommate. However as thoughts of him and Kavi having fun poured in his head he wondered how the other would survive the winter, with his mother pushing meat into his face and if his family would miss him. A loopy smile never left his face as the cogs in his mind worked. How much did he really know his roommate. Before more of the second thoughts could pour into his head he spoke "I will tell you what." He said sipping along the edge of his cup giving himself foam facial hair. "Tell me what you are missing if you come stay with me I would feel bad if your lovely sisters had to come all the way down here to see you." He added with a growing grin at the very thought.



He had not gone the extra step Fabio always took for him in wiping away anything from his face, but instead he did offer a clean napkin for him to wipe off the mustache of drink foam. "Winter break is not all that long, everything I have in my suitcase would be enough for me to stay, if you mother would allow for me to do laundry while I stayed. Assuming I would not be putting her out by staying in the first place." He took another sip of his own drink to find himself with a layer of foam on his upper lip, and with the back of his hand he wiped it away. "I would not inconvenience my sisters to bring me things I already have."


Pinking slightly he refused the napkin and instead pinched the ends of his foam mustache as if in thought. "hmmm..." His thoughts amused him, "of course dude... though once my mom finds out you do chores she may pay you to clean the house. Dust the books, do the laundry, cook dinner." He said with a broad grin. He paused long enough to hear the introduction to the next song be badly done. At last he licked his upper lip before wiping it. "There is enough space in my bed as soon as I make space and move the books."



"A little bit of extra money from chores is never a bad thing, but with the way you make it sound with the sheer amount of books you have the task would seemingly last forever." He took another deep drink of his ale finding it to taste better than most any of the cheap beers he may or may not have tasted in the past. "And didn't you say there was a daybed or something like that when you invited me over for Thanksgiving?"


Fabio rejoiced in the idea of Kavi in a little maids outfit dusting his entire abode. With a devilish grin he took another sip from his brew this time accepting the cloth since the fuzz tickled his nose. He simply said no more about the piles of books waiting to be unearthed and instead turned the conversation to the impending topic that lead to arguments around the world, politics. It brought them to their forth round and the conversation some how back to Christmas. Fabio forked his unrecognizable meal. He was sure at once had something that was close to chicken Alfredo but now it was a giant swirl. Finding one of the white chunks he popped it into his mouth. "Do you even have an idea of what to get hottie mc hot hot this year?" He said foregoing the metal instrument and using his fingers.


He gave a shrug as he picked through the vegetarian nachos they'd gotten to split while waiting for their actual food, and finding a proper piece with a little bit of everything he took the bite. "I'm not really sure to be honest. I figure that if I am not visiting her this year I have time, but..." With almost a dejected look he looked into the empty bottom of his second glass as he drank the remainder and set it back down. "Things are feeling kind of strained between me and her, especially after her visit. I've met her parents before and stuff, but that visit was...I dunno, dude."


He nearly choked on a small bit of tomato at the words. If it had not been for the slight decrease in the normally stoic face, Fabio would not have believed him. Washing down the small speck that was lodged in his windpipe, he burrowed his brows in thought. The waitress came by with yet another round of drinks and an apology that their food had not arrived yet. When the brunette left he spoke. "It must be true what they say about long distance relationships." He plucked more of the appetizer off the plate. "I mean she is cute, a real take home to mom type but dude... she seems a bit, I dunno proud?" Fabio shook his head. "Not what I meant to say, but dude what drew you to her in the first place? And is it still there?"


He gave an agreeable shrug, "Proud is one word for it. She is very...hardheaded about what she likes and in order for you to have a say you have to have a valid argument. It gets tiring after awhile." He felt odd being so open to share, and he blamed the beers Fabio had bought, but the second opinion he was receiving made it almost worth talking about it. "When she and I first met she was really nice, maybe treading lightly, but now that she and I have known each other for awhile it is almost like she is showing her true self, and it is a lot more stubborn and proud then what she shared before."


"Dude I have a confession." He said after taking a long sip from his drink. "So I mean its not scientifically proven but I read some where that when people first met they change for the ones they love, and then after marriage once your tied down they go back to the way things were before they met you... no true facts." He thought about how else to put this. "I think i can be friends with hottie mc hot hot if I really tired but man, I thought you were rigid, shes like uh... ice. She some what of a book snob and a school snob and I would not want to be in her class parading around her fancy degree from MIT." Fabio Slurpee up some of the foam. His eyes drifted downwards to his cup realizing he was still bitter about her views on education. "Come on dude lets lighten up the mood." He said with a little laugh. .Taking Kavi by the arm, he dragged him to the song selection box. "Pick one!"


When Fabio spoke of Géraldine's attitude of ice he could not help but snort into his beer and offer a good laugh, "You would not believe how icy she really is. She was on better behavior when she met you before Thanksgiving." Abandoning their beers even he could see that Fabio was a little rigid about something himself, but he said nothing as they were dragged away to the karokee machine. He had half a mind to deny and say no, but he could see he needed a break as much as his roommate needed to be cheered up. As he looked at the list of songs, however, none of them sounded recognizable. "None of these songs look familiar, you pick one."


It took him a while to browse through the songs. It was hardly any good duets in the lineup unless he and Kavi wished to sing to 80s music. Flipping through the selection he found one that made him happy. He felt like a kid and could not keep his body still as he gave the person running the machine their song selection. "Dude this is going to rock. I picked something different then girls just want to have fun." His head bobbed and turned into a grin that showed teeth as the guy singing before them got off the stage. They were handed the mic's and once they were on stage the opening riffs to the songs began to play.



The microphone smelled like stale chips and beer, and he was certain the person singing before him had eaten something greasy given the feeling of it. He did not say much as he saw Fabio let the DJ know what song, and when he got the shit-eating grin he was not sure if he should have really felt nervous about going on stage, or enjoy it as much as the other. As the music picked up and the rhythm filled the loud room of people half watching and half paying attention to their fellow classmates. Kavi found the song to be familiar enough that he knew he heard it before, but the words eluded him, and so having been provided on the screen he was able to sing along with his roommate. They shared the lead and the background throughout the song, and many moments of whistling, and he could all but feel their voices harmonized fairly well. Of course, he wasn't sure if that was his drunken self speaking or if it really happened, but he really did know that he enjoyed himself on stage.


They were amazing, or he was drunk, but it was fun and he did not care. As he put his arm around Kavi's shoulder and dragged him through the cheering crowd, he found their food had finally arrived though strangely he was not as hungry as he was before. "Dude... have you been holding out some amazing musical talent as well." He said. His fingers found a way to one of the fries and they looked strangely multicolored. He popped one in his mouth and munched on it. "Tell me Kavi what other magical abilities have you been hiding?"



Again he found himself laughing, amused even by the prospect the other thought he was anything except musically challenged. "I'm not hiding anything, but it seems like you are. I know you said you liked karokee, but I did not think you could sing like that." he playfully mimicked Fabio's light punch of the shoulder before he picked up his off-looking sandwich for a bite. It was much cheesier than he would have first thought a veggie burger to be, and the vegetable patty itself tasted much better than it should have. He indulged in another bite, wiping his face before he spoke again. "You know, tonight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."


The evening was excellent. He had enjoyed himself some good food, and even stole some of Kavis. He was stuffed like a duck and the world seemed to be a bit brighter with an evening of just venting. He paid for dinner despite his earlier groans that he was poor. Soon they would both be rich and spending winter inside his little abode. Somehow his arm found its way around Kavi's neck as they traveled through the streets back to the dorm. He moved happily in the snow covered streets eventually breaking away as they entered the schools grounds to pluck some of the snow, roll it into a ball and throw it at Kavi.


He was caught in the side of the head with the soft ball of snow, the fluffy snow breaking apart the second it touched him. The icy flakes dusted his dark hair and coat, as well as a few pieces slipping beneath his collar to give him the chills. With gloved hands he brushed his shoulders to rid of the snow sticking to him, before he squatted down to scoop up his own handful of snow to throw it at his flush-faced roommate with a grin.


He laughed at the unusually white haired Kavi and it wasn't until his own face became splattered with flakes that he paused and resumed his attack. It soon turned into a game of dodging and throwing as he waved around the area hiding from Kavi. Fabio grinned plucking up a large pile of snow for his final attack, ran clumsily dumping it all on Kavi before tackling him. They fell into a snow bank that had piled up under a tree. Fabio let his hands find Kavi's weakness under his jacket as his grin turned playfully malicious. He let his fingers rub the sensitive sides furiously, pinning the body under his in laughs.

[Poggio]

It was not only the tickling sensation of the hands which left his face flushed and himself laughing, but the snow chilled fingers made it worse than it should have been. He struggled against the snow covered ground, his own cold fingers trying to find Fabio's to make them stop their tickling torture and spare him his ticklish embarrassment. Getting a good shove on his roommate's shoulders he tried to use the moment to return the tickling torture to paler sides before he tried to escape.


The laugh made his sides hurt, and scrambling to recapture his roommate he missed and found himself in the snow like an ostrich. Fabio climbed to his feet, fling hand fulls of snow at Kavi as he traveled in pursuit. He was not sure what came over him, simply that he wanted Kavi in his arms. Flushed and winded he tackled his roommate yet again, holding the thin frame inside the snow. He didn't understand why every time he looked into the sage green eyes it felt like a blow to the chest. He made the mistake of locking onto Kavi's gaze, still reeling with the mirth of the moment. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward to press his lips against Kavi's but his nerves prevented him from closing the distance. Instead he twisted his head nuzzling along the side of Kavi's cheek, burrowing against the warmth.


He was still breathing heavy when both he and Fabio were on the ground, having expected for his roommate to return to tickling him he was surprised when instead he found a cold a face rubbing against his own before it seemed Fabio cuddled closer and he could not help but wrap his arms around the snow covered back for a moment while they laid in the snow. He was not sure how long their laid there, but he could feel more snowflakes falling from the sky fall upon his foggy glasses and on his roommate's back. Pulling his arms back from around the other he said that they ought to head back to the dorms before they froze.


The warm arms kept him from remembering that the hug belonged to some one else. He shook a few of the new flakes from his beanie and on to the other. He intertwined his fingers with Kavi's pulling him to his feet and into his arms. He had stopped thinking a long time ago and let his fingers slip around the gentle curves of his roommate's chin, pressing his lips into the others. Taking a few steps back he smiled, never letting go of the hand he led them back to their dorm.



He was struck dumbfounded when his lips were no longer cold from the chill of the night, but warm as they another pair of lips pressed against his own. He wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to feel, but before a decision could be reached his roommate pulled back away with a grin and it left him feeling even more confused in his drunken haze. His brow wrinkled itself as they passed through the white landscape to their dorm, and it seemed as though it took hardly any time before they were already thawing out in the heated lobby while they waited for the elevator. In their waiting he glanced down to where their hands were intertwined together, and while it didn't feel right for some odd reason he couldn't remember, it didn't seem to matter as the metal doors opened and both he and Fabio stepped into the lift only to quickly be hoisted off up several floors to their level.


It wasn't until they had to open the door that he turned and looked at Kavi again. "Dude imagine every night of your life like tonight, if you can imagine it with Geraldine then stay with her but if you can't find some one more worthy of you dude. It may be the hippiest thing I will ever say to you, but man some times you need to take life by the horns." He looked down at his hand realizing that he did not forget his left overs and paved the way into the lamp lit room for the both of them. Once inside his mind went in many places at once. The first was turning on the small heater and then stripping out of his snow covered clothing. From the corners of his eyes he watched the ghost of his roommate before pulling his blanket up and over his head burrowing in the warmth of the comforters.



When he woke the next morning with his head pounding, stomach churning, and a warm body at his side. Neither of the first two things on that list baffled him, but the other did, and it took him a moment to realize who it was. The first thing he managed to see was a head full of curly locks and while he thought he may have known who it was he was unable to find out as a pang of nausea caught him unaware and he had to climb over whoever it was in his bed to rush off to the bathroom at the end of the hall.


The loud pounding woke him up, and immediately he wanted to hide as the door slam felt like a brick against his head. In a daze he looked around and rolled out the blankets that did not belong to him. The fall to the floor was rough, but even worse was the tumbled percussion to the bathroom where the sounds of other classmen could be heard. Searching among the open stalls he found Kavi, oddly green and spewing up something that did not look like his normal flavor. He wobbled inside the small space wincing at the smell as he knelt down and gently rubbed Kavi between his shoulder blades. He took the glasses off the bridge of his nose before they fell into the bodily mixture. Only common sense kept him from apologizing like an idiot for the night of drinks, and even more so for what ever made his roommate sick. "Dude do you need a nurse?... or water?" he offered instead.


He breathed out a negative as he felt his glasses leave, and while everything was already blurry from the vomit induced tears in his eyes, he could see nothing clearly without his glasses. The most recent round of losing last night's dinner ended, and Kavi wiped his mouth and his eyes as he shook his head before it rested against the cool wall of the stall. "I think that we drank too much last night," he took a deep breath as he felt his stomach settle into a temporary dull, "and the food tasted weird, I think it had meat in it." He could feel his stomach begin to revolt again, and leaning over the toilet he started heaving again.


It seemed like a while before his roommate stopped throwing up his contaminated dinner. He tried to remember what his own food tasted like but outside the flavor of good he could say nothing. With one arm under the frail body he helped Kavi back to the dorm room and into his bed. His body ached from the effort but since his roommate was worse off then he, he felt the odd need to care for him. Searching his spinning mind he found the only thing he could think to make his roommate feel better was hot tea. Fabio set off in search of the herbs among the common room. It was after a small quest that he returned to find Kavi not in his bed, but by his computer trash can dry heaving, moaning and grunting as nothing came to pass from his lips. Fabio set his own beverage down on his desk before folding himself down onto the floor and pulling Kavi away from the trash can. He blew on the edge of the cup before offering it to Kavi. "... hay... drink this please."


He let the trashcan down back to the side of his computer as he looked back to Fabio, a mug filled with something he did not know steamed and already began to make him feel a little better. He offered a sniffle of his nose as he took the cup, looking into the light green hue of the tea before peering over the cup with glasses less eyes, "I hate you." Sipping at the cup he found out that it was green tea, and instead of drinking a lot he only started with a sip. "We should have stayed in and studied last night, we shouldn't have drank anything." He took a deep sniff of the aromatic brew as he continued to grumble under his breath while he leaned back to rest against the post of his bed while waiting to determine whether or not his stomach was willing to settle with the tea.


He didn't recall whose idea it was, and reached up to take his own cup as his roommate crawled over to his bed. He coughed a little laugh into the green water that reminded his bones to ache. "Should have, would have, could have..." He mumbled before taking a sip. Slowly he picked up the cup abandoned by Kavi and handed him to him. Closing his eyes he got the strangest urge. He hummed the opening rift to a song that sounded some what familiar before speaking. "And I hate you too dude, now drink the rest of your tea so I can hate you less."


he could only barely hear the soft humming over the silence of their room, and while he couldn't place it, the song struck a chord in him, but he ignored it in favor of taking another sip of the tea. "Yeah, well it was your idea," he paused for a moment, "...maybe, I don't remember." Setting the cup aside on the edge of his desk, he folded his arms over his stomach and slumped back against his bed. Thus far there was no comparison from how he felt then to how he felt when he first awoke, but already he felt like taking a nap. "Fabio," he stared up at the ceiling without his glasses, only seeing a plane of white and the barest edges where the ceiling met the walls, "was there someone in my bed before you came to the bathroom? I don't remember who it was, but when we came back there was no one here."


There was a long slip as he recalled in a haze the nights events. His face grew red, as his mind recalled falling in the snow, singing together and at some point waking up in Kavi's bed to the loud crashes in the room. He looked up at his roommate scratching his wild locks. Fabio swallowed hard before answering., "Yeah dude, I slept with you." Through the green reflection in his cup he could see his roommate pivot with a confusion etched into his features. "Yeah I woke up in your bed." He caught a glimpse of the head turning towards the ceiling while his own gaze studied the floor boards.



His hands rubbed at his face, only further blurring his vision of the ceiling. He only really remembered his and Fabio's talk about Géraldine, and despite his wanting to remember more he was left clueless. He really didn't think they slept together, and at the same time he hoped they hadn't... Kavi glanced back to the side where he could see Fabio looking at the floor. He seemed to remember something about thrashing about in the snow. Possibly holding hands? He really did not remember, and the more he thoughts about it the more he could not remember, and so he decided against thinking about it just then. Rolling over in his bed, he tugged his blanket on top before reaching under his bed to produce a book. "I might nap, but I am not tired enough and need something to distract me, would you like me to read?"


He watched Kavi roll in his bed and recover himself with blankets. It concerned him more how grumpy the man was and how he just emptied an entire nights worth of dinner into the toilet. Pushing himself up from the floor he grabbed his own blanket and the thick volume from the desk. Climbing on to the mattress, Fabio curled up in the small space with his head on Kavi's stomach. He smiled. "You know we will have to find something else to read over winter break since we are at the last two chapters." He handed his roommate the book. "but nothing from my house." He added.



"Why not? You told me that you had books everywhere, certainly some of them will be suitable to read." He accepted the book from his roommate and waited for him to get situated as he wished before searching through the pages where they last left off and found out that they were indeed nearing the end of the book. "We can always find one though, maybe the book you got me for my birthday."


Chuckling, he pulled his blanket over his shoulders. "We can, I just didn't think you were a fan of strapping young men that carried helpless women into the bed." He said "we would have to do some digging if you wanted a good one before my moms romance fetish." As Kavi opened the book to find the page he thought about the book he bought him for his birthday. Silently he said nothing lest he anger the sobering Kavi more since it would only bring up memories of their first encounter. He grinned as he closed his eyes listening to the sound of the novel being read.


"Hey, I got a couple of book references when you and Géraldine were sharing romance novel quotes," he said between sentences before taking up reading again. Kavi was only able to read one chapter aloud before he was tired enough to fall asleep, and didn't hardly feel up to getting up to put the book away and so fell asleep with the book resting on his chest while is head nodded off to the side and fell asleep.


The poor guy, still reeling from the night of drinks. Fabio rose from his perch smiling at his roommate that slept. Silently he took the book from its spot on the mans chest. He set the book on the desk before tucking Kavi in and wandering over to his own desk. Blocking out the light breathing with his head phones he found where he left off with his studies and began the reviews with a renewed vigor to pass his classes.


When he awoke again the study light at his roommate's desk was on while the other sat hunched studying and working on his school assignments, and he had to check his watch for the time to see how long he'd really been sleeping. It proved that he'd apparently been worn out enough to sleep rather than nap. Luckily, the mixture of sleep and the soothing tea Fabio had given him was enough to feel much better than he had, and sitting up from bed reached around the bed in search of his glasses.


The soft padding of footsteps broke through the music and Fabio turned stretching as he saw his roommate was finally awake. He was nearly at the end of his review packet and it seemed his roommate had slept through most of Saturday. His bones popped as he un curled himself from his little perch. Spinning in his chair he turned towards Kavi with a watchful eye. This time he tried dto hide his growing pile of vending machine treats, this time it was accompanied by an empty bag of cookies. "Dude... your finally awake!" He said with his own slight yawn. "I thought I'd have to find your true love to wake you up, anyways wanna order pizza?"


He offered a groan and a shake of his head to dismiss the idea. "No thank you, I have not regained my appetite back yet," with his glasses equipped he was able to see everything he could not really see before, and he took notice of the small pile of wrappers behind the other. Though he said nothing as he slumped into his computer chair, looking into the cup of green tea still sitting on his desk, now cold and unwanted. Still, he tried a sip to see if maybe it was still good, and it proved to be worse than when he first drank it. Sliding the cup away he pulled up his computer for any of his studying material, and while it loaded he spoke again, "How long are hangovers and stomach bugs supposed to last?"


Fabios shoulders rose and fell in the infamous shrug. "It really depends on the person and the amount you drink and what is causing your stomach virus." He answered to the best of his knowledge. "If its something like food poisoning I expect umm maybe 2 or 3 days if its the stomach flu then man you are screwed... Though as for the hangover you need more liquids thats all." He pulled his chair over to Kavi's desk amused at his face from the cold tea. "Fresh is always better." Shaking his head he took the cup, along with his own. "I still have a ramen cups if you can stomach that because not eating anything I feel like will make it worse."



Folding his arms on the desk, he let his head rest against his arms while the other took away his cup of old tea. "I found that out the hard way," he mumbled as his glasses slid up his forehead as his head sunk against his arms. "I never want to eat meat again, intentionally or by accident," he groaned softly before sitting up and rubbing at his face before spinning to face his roommate. "I'd rather wait and see how I feel now that I have had my nap, but thank you for the tea, and offer of pizza, and even your last ramen bowl."


Fabio paused turned, walked back to Kavi and leaned making his face perpendectular to Kavi's. "You did what now?" His head fell against the wood desk. "Dude, shut the front door, I can not believe what my ears are hearing." Putting the cup back on the table he let the back of his hand reach out and touch Kavi's head. "Do you hear that angelic chorus? I only wish I was sober last night to get pictures." He breathed out a contented sigh. "Oh this, this will happen again. The window has been opened my friend." Happily he raised himself up and took up the cup again this time he was able to make it past the other into the lobby where he both refreshed the cups of tea and found himself two more sugary confections to sedate his oral fixation. He returned back to the room and after handing Kavi his new tea, sank into the chair with a grin.



He didn't hardly have a chance to say anything in response to his roommate's excitement of his accidental meat eating, and while he wanted to assure him that he was not going to eat it again he was sure he would have all sorts of hot dogs, hamburgers, and any other type of meat the other liked thrust into his face to eat. Though, he supposed that wouldn't have been too much different from the situation before last night. It seemed like no time at all had passed when Fabio returned with two steaming cups of tea again, and accepting his cup with a thank you he sniffed the vapors while slumping in his chair again. "You do realize it was an accident I ate your sandwich, right? I have no intention of eating meat again."


"Kavi, one day you will try my meat and like it." He said turning as he raised a brow cupping his own cup of tea. "And it comes with a special sauce that will make Catholics want to eat it beyond Fridays." He said with a smirk. Closing his eyes he dreamed of homemade sausages in pesto sauce until his stomach yearned for the food as badly as his mouth. With out opening his eyes he found his honeybun and opened it. "Besides I think I can out wit you again and make you try it. Who knows you may like it. After all, I have come to have an acquired taste for the soybean because of you."


"You're welcome," he said indignantly as the computer gave a ding of sorts, and looking at the screen he could see his notes and things for classes ready and waiting for him to study. "Next you will like edamame, chickpeas, hummus," he could hear his own stomach growl, and taking the mug of tea took a drink to try and fill himself up for the moment being. "Kudos to you if you are going to try and get me to eat meat, but just know I will be on a better watch out for the devilish stuff."


Before putting his head phones back on he listened to Kavi, and soon found himself pulling his chair back into the others space. His head fell in the nook Kavi's shoulder as his hand snaked its way under the shirt and onto the mans stomach. Snuggling close to the mans ear he whispered melodically into the lobe. "When your tummy is rumbling you should eat." Pressing closer he started to rub the flesh in a clockwise circle.


Lightly he batted his hands at the other, swatting the hand from underneath his shirt while giving the man a push away to leave both him and his tummy troubles alone. "I'll eat at some point, I just want to get some things done before I try." Taking a hold of the arm of the chair, he gave the other a shove towards his own computer station, giving a bit of a spin for show. "I might go for a short walk for some fresh air and something like crackers to keep my stomach settled. You are always welcome to come with."


Fabio laughed as he bumped into his own desk once more. "Dude you sound like a super model. Just eat normal food, it will push the bad toxins out." He mocked. He perked up at the idea of a walk before turning back to his study work. He had already covered and recovered a lot of his work and his groove was already messed up by the waking distraction. "That sounds nice. I think I will, and this time we shall go to a meat free place since you can not handle the goodness."


"If by goodness you mean awfulness," he countered along with a sigh. Looking at the screen of his computer he could see a message from Géraldine popping up on screen. His attention for his roommate and their trip for crackers was quickly waning as he scooted in his chair. The first thing he spotted was questions about winter break and he was left thinking about the best way to answer the question. instead, he could think of nothing just then, and leaving the computer he rose from his chair to search for shoes and a coat. "Let's go get some food before it gets too late."


He leaped out of his desk like an attentive dog and scrambled to find his pants and outer wear. "Yush, I have been starving" He quickly found his clothes. Soon he was ready to go. Walking in his dance like movements he followed behind his sick roommate into the elevator and out into the world. Moving around the grump he paused seeing Kavi in a worse state of his usual grumps. "Dude, whats up grumpygills? Are you still suffering from the hang over too?" He shivered in the snow shaking the newly fallen flakes that tangled in his locks.



When questioned he had to say that he did feel a little bit like he was still a tad bothered by all they had to drink last night, but shaking his head he let his too long hair swish around his head. "No, it's nothing really important right now," he was caught with a snowflake hitting his glasses, and wiping it off of the glasses he stared down at the snow covered ground and the dancing feet of his roommate. "Géraldine was just curious about Christmas plans and all."


"Oh..." Fabio dug his hands into his pocket and fell into step beside Kavi. He wondered what Kavi decided to do knowing his offer was still on the table. "Well then do you mind if we take a detour? I can show you what my offer is? I mean if you haven't decided and all." Taking one step forward he twisted and walked backwards giving Kavi a look."What do you say? " He wondered what his mother would say. His grin grew and his eyes widened begging almost.



Looking up from the ground, Kavi found himself looking at a puppy dogging Fabio and his own free will began to crumble, and giving a nod he allowed for the other to lead the way for their detour. "I had kind of already thought I was going to spend the break with you, I just hadn't told my family yet." nervously he swallowed as his eyes drifted again, "or Géraldine. I was going to wait to hear if it were okay with your aunt or whoever was providing you with the job. I did not want to intrude on you and your mom if it was not okay. It was why I didn't buy a plane ticket yet."


It was both a relief and and a reminder that he had to call his aunt. Shaking his head, he reached out and pat Kavi on the head. It seemed hard on his roommate choosing between the life of love, family and freedom. “There is not much to intrude upon to be honest. We have food. We share gifts that is about the jest of Christmas for us.” His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. “We put presents on the book tree and drink coco by the fire. Eventually my family comes over or we go over though some years my mom goes by herself to Italy to see her grands and stuff. “ He stopped “But lets see about making you a mail room clerk.” Walking he led them though the white streets to his apartment that he shared with his mother.


He was so bummed out that he did not even bother trying to swat the hand away from where it patted his head as though he were a dog or a person that needed consoling. He did feel that way, but he said nothing to knowledge it and instead followed Fabio dutifully. While at first they seemed to travel silently even he did not appreciate the silence while his roommate somewhere he did not know. "You know," Kavi commented as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "It is interesting to hear about other people's traditions whether for Christmas or any other holiday. When I was little I always assumed that everyone celebrated the same way, but as I got older and met Géraldine I realized that everyone has their own way of celebrating."


Fabio laughed as they entered the lobby and found the elevator that would take them upstairs. “Essentially everyone does spend it the same. You find things or reasons for the ones you care about the most, you try to make others happy by surprising them with unexpected things. I dunno...” Once Kavi was inside the elevator he pushed the button to the 9th floor. “It just seems like the holidays have the same spirit all around give and love so people while it may appear different, celebrate that.” With a crank of the antiquated gears they were taken to Fabios apartment. The smells of fresh bread and the sounds of pots clanging could be heard, and he grinned. It seemed he caught his mother in the middle of dinner and by habit she always made too much. He put his index finger to his mouth signaling to Kavi for complete silence while he maneuvered the key quietly. Sneaking inside he found the short brown haired woman in the kitchen washing dishes. He hugged her, startling his poor mother and after fondly exclaiming she smacked him on the back of his head and started to berate him. “And this... “ He said dodging the last blow. “Is Kavi my roommate.” He gestured to the man in the shadow of the apartment hallway.


Silently, he'd watched his roommate weave in and out throughout the mountains upon piles of books while he stood out in the hallway. At first he was intrigued that there were so many books filling the apartment, let alone that there were many he had not heard of before. Some books looked great and pristine, others weathered a books tended to become, and he more he looked the more titles he had never heard of before. Kavi's search for books he knew of was interrupted when he heard a surprised sound of who he could only guess was Fabio's mother, and as he peered over the piles of books he could see her yelling and lecturing at Fabio from anything from sneaking in without calling all the way to asking why he didn't come visit more often. He found himself surprised when Fabio gestured to him where he stood outside, and taking that as his entrance Kavi left the dimly lit hallway in favor of taking the same path through the books to the kitchen. The first thing he noticed was how bright and cheery the kitchen seemed, and he could all but see that it was the epicenter of the apartment and that many great meals were no doubt shared there. The second thing the man noticed was the fact that it smelled delicious, much better than his kitchen ever did at home. Stretching out a hand he took hers into his own to give her a firm handshake as greeting. "It is nice to meet you Mrs. Rizzo. Your apartment is very lovely, and your kitchen smells wonderful."


The short woman's limbs curled around her waist and she inspected Fabio's roommate with a keen eye. The small rosy lips curled into a smile and like mother like son, she abrasively entered Kavi's personal space for a tight embrace. “You know my sons a real jerk, he doesn't call, doesn't write, doesn't tell me there are two college students at that university studying themselves to the bone.” She grinned releasing Kavi. “Its nice to meet you. I hear so little about you.” With that she gave one last playful punch to her son. “You are welcome to tell me more over dinner, the more the merrier.” She said turning back to her stove. “It will be ready in 20 sweetie, go wash up and set the table please.... and no complaining you brought the guest you are stuck with the dishes.” She said as if she had the mysterious matron power of having eyes in the back of her head. Shaking his head and rolling his eyes Fabio tugged at Kavi's jacket gesturing to a coat rack hidden among the bookshelves. “Come on you can help.”


The woman reminded him a lot of his own mother, the fussiness and sterness that all mothers had, as well as a still underlying tone of love for her son. It was obvious that she was the boss of the kitchen, and so when she sent both him and Fabio off he was obliged to follow his roommate to hang up his coat and help with setting the table. As they left the kitchen, with the smell of seafood wafting after them, Kavi offered Fabio a nudge of his ebow. "Your mother is really nice, why don't you call her more often? Or even visit, I didn't realize she lived quite as close as she did."

[Poggio]

Fabio turned a little pink at the nudge. It was never good when your friends agreed with your parents. “Noo dude... its... kinda like for the same reason we never went back to read to the kids at the library or the last time we got a hot dog at the park... things just, time just slips by you know.” He said leading the way through the space and into his room. He pushed the door open with one shoulder and rolled into the area. Instinctively he tossed his hat and it landed on the bed post with a few others. Fabio walked over to his book fort under neath his bunk and started to move them. “If you stay here this your bunk.”

[Honey]

Stepping into the room it seemed pretty straight-forward and nearly matched the image he'd created in his mind when Fabio first described it. It was straight forward with the usual furniture pieces most rooms had. Similar to the rest of the house there were books tucked in seemingly every nook and cranny, but it was cozy and comfortable. Watching the beanie flung across the room where it landed near others he knew that Fabio must have done that often, and while he began to clear off the bottom bunk he started to do a bit of snooping. The first thing he spotted was a handful of books with the shirtless man he came to learn was also named Fabio. Picking a couple up he read the back to find them all similar yet slightly different, and setting them aside he spotted a game system. Pointing to it he waved to get Fabio's attention. "Do you play?"

[Poggio]

Discretely, Fabio reached out and pulled the novel out of Kavi's hand and tucked it away. Following where the other was pointing he looked at his game system that was collecting dust. A small laugh escaped his lips. "You play? Dude not gonna lie, I thought you were all books." He found a place for the pile in his arm and walked over to his dresser. Opening it revealed his top drawer to have a nook of games. "Choose your poison, though most of them are rpgs since I usually played by my self. I have a few mmos since my system can hook up to the net, though I only have one working headphone set. The other one the speaker is busted so the players can't hear you." Before going back to cleaning his bed, Fabio pointed at the controllers. "Though we can play after dinner... my mom has this thing about eating in my room."

[Honey]

He fingered through the games to find some familiar titles and others that he hadn't heard of, and as he looked at the descriptions he found that what Fabio said seemed to be true about most being RPGs. "Honestly, I never played much, or if I did it was because my little sister and she only ever wanted to play some "Barbie Dream Land" games." Kavi wiggled his fingers as a gesture as though he were sprinkling fairy dust all over his roommate's room before rolling his eyes and turning back to the games. "I have played a couple of titles I see here though, and after dinner we can play if you'd like." Looking through the titles more he turned around to where Fabio was cleaning out the lower bunk. "Assuming I'm not overstaying my welcome, I don't want to put your mother out."

[Poggio]

Turning he gave Kavi a look. "Dude if you were overstaying your welcome you would not have made it through the door. " Magically his arm found its way around Kavi's shoulder. "No dude you would not even have made it to my apartment, but my mom likes you." Mockingly he pinched Kavi's cheek. "Besides you are my guest, and she is feeding me so she will feed you." With that he tugged his roommate in a circle "Well this is my room..." jostling him along he showed Kavi his entire house from the balcony, the bathroom and on to the living space that was full of books. By the time they found their way to the kitchen again. His mother was taking bowls of soup into the small side area designed for dinning in the space. Once she brought the bread and butter over Fabio's mother invited them both to sit and partake.