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 Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 5:59 pm
"Oh?" Brian asked. So she wasn't going back? He was already living in the dorms full-time himself, but it was nice to have his apartment back home just in case he needed a break. Plus his parents would wonder if he suddenly appeared in their kitchen, and they'd need a place to visit him. If the financial burden became too much he might swap to just living at the Prytaneum, but for now it was working just fine. He'd already moved most of his pictures out anyway. "Well, if you need help moving, I'd be glad to."
He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowed, and his head tilted to the side.
"Well, you could always come to my place for the sleepover. I have a pretty decent TV there." He had one in his bedroom too, but that might be going a little too far. it was smaller, anyway. "I mean, if you want to waste your weekly visit on that. When can you Hearth again?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:32 pm
Misha lifted her head sharply at Brian's offer but she managed to hide her surprise without too much trouble. Still, it was quite an impressive suggestion and well beyond what most friends would feel obliged to offer. A crooked smile appeared on her face, full of melting sweetness. "I haven't been through the Hearth since the bayou, actually," she admitted. Then she tipped her head to the side in a rather close and unconscious approximation to Brian's own gesture. "Are you sure? I don't want to crowd in on your visit home or distract you from other things. Not that I'm saying no if you're sure. I would love to spend a less-haunted night with you."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:41 pm
If she hadn't been home since the bayou she certainly could manage a trip out in the next few days. She might have a better idea than a one-night sleepover.
"You don't have to spend it on me, but the offer's there," he said. "I could show you around the city a bit, if you want." He didn't think Houston was all that much to see, but he'd grown up there. Hopefully nobody would recognize him on the street. "You wouldn't be crowding. It might be nice to have some company finally."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:56 pm
Her smile grew as Brian expanded on his idea and offer and suggestion of sorts. It was pretty adorable and she found herself nodding her agreement before he had quite finished. "If you are absolutely sure, then... Yes. I would love to tag along. I've never been to Houston or Texas, really. But promise that you'll just leave me to my own thing if you need to go do your stuff. Promise you won't worry about ditching me or anything silly like that?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 8:52 pm
"No, no, of course," Brian agreed, but he was pretty sure that Misha wouldn't require a "ditching." She hadn't been any sort of burden so far and he doubted that she would become one. Misha's presence was friendly and comforting and frankly, rather fun most times. She'd be a wonderful escape if he needed one, and a perfect way to top off a trip out into normalcy if it went fairly well. "You could probably pop out in my kitchen through the Hearth."
He'd have to clean in preparation... dust, at least. He'd need to give himself time.
"So what about Monday night? Some time after 4? We could go out or order out, whatever you want."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:20 pm
Lifting her fork with a flourishing salute, Misha giggled. "It's a date then, Handsome." She winked and, dropping her fork back to her plate, she reached a foot forward to press against his once more. "I'll bring goodies."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:35 pm
Brian's foot slid sideways a bit to knock back against Misha's. He was still plenty anxious about what was to come, but at least he'd have something to look forward to. Misha was a good ear to listen, and if he wasn't feeling like talking, she had that way about her...
He smiled and winked to her. "It's a date, then."
- - -
Come Monday morning, Brian had gone for his usual run, grabbed breakfast, and come home to clean. The past few days had been... interesting. His family was as supportive as ever, though they were now convinced that he was going through some sort of early midlife crisis. It had been a little more strained with old colleagues. A few offered support, but they mostly seemed suspicious of something terrible. There was nothing to be done. He was in a new phase of his life, and at some point they'd all move on, with him or without him. He had friends outside of work now, if the Prytaneum wasn't work. It was his family that worried them. He wasn't sure he could go on without them. They weren't used to him failing.
Exercise helped, though. Cleaning helped too, although he wasn't sure why. He'd dusted and vacuumed and cleaned the counters and swept and scrubbed and... anything he could, then went out to buy some snacks. Come four he was watching the clock less casually than he liked to think he was. They hadn't set an exact time, but Misha would show up eventually. Was it really so easy as walking through the Hearth to here? He could, but it was his own apartment!
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:46 pm
It felt very different to be walking through the Hearth and knowing that you were not going to be battling for your life on the other side. Unless Brian's plans had changed drastically, Misha felt sure that she faced nothing worse than a possible bad movie or two. Nonetheless, she closed her eyes as she stepped through the Hearth... Which resulted in her still having them closed when she felt the change of earth beneath her feet to comfortingly normal tile. She grinned. Then she finally opened her eyes and looked around. "Brian?" she called. "You better be here and not having second thoughts because I've brought supplies."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:50 pm
Brian had been lying on the couch when he heard someone call him from the kitchen. It only took him a moment to recognize the voice, but boy was that startling! He lifted his head over the back of the couch and grinned.
"Of course I am." He got up to go to Misha, opening his arms for a hug.
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:57 pm
He did not have to ask twice. The moment he entered the kitchen with arms out, Misha launched herself into his embrace. Her own arms wrapped around his waist and she tucked herself beneath his chin and tight to his body in the automatic way the two of them had developed over the months. She sighed happily, feeling the warmth and comfort. She hadn't realized that she had nerves from using the Hearth to come to him, to a new place without the others. "Hey, Handsome," she murmured into his chest. Then she lifted his head and beamed at him with pure sass. "Missed you. Did you miss me?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:02 pm
Brian smiled and rocked back and forth a bit with Misha in his arms while he kissed her head. When he released her, he tilted his head at her sass.
"Of course I did. It's been a hell of a weekend. Come on," he said, and stepped out of the kitchen to gesture to the apartment as a whole, arms spread wide. "Welcome to the Case de Brian."
The living room was just beyond the kitchen area, and the hall to the left led to the bedroom, and the right to the bathroom. The TV on the wall was actually rather nice.
Should Misha look out the windows, she'd see a pretty good part of the Houston area, but not an especially wealthy one. Brian's apartment was on the third floor.
"I bought popcorn."
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:21 pm
"Movie butter style? I hope, I hope." Misha laughed but followed him obediently. As she looked around, studying Brian's home turf with open curiosity, she swung her duffel bag around to hold in front of her. It was a vivid violet paisley, stepping up to the line of good taste but not quite crossing. "I brought some snacks, too, just like I promised," she announced. "Some candy. Cookies. I hope you like chocolate chip."
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:24 pm
"I like all cookies," he said. He glanced out the window. It'd be dark soon. Too dark to go on a tour. That would have to happen tomorrow if Misha wanted a grand tour. "I got some butter and some kettle corn, just in case you have a favorite. Have you eaten?"
Snacks weren't really a meal, and he had offered her real food back on campus. He didn't want to renege.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:33 pm
Misha smiled sheepishly. "I didn't," she admitted. "I guess I was a little too excited for the visit. I hope you didn't eat yet either. If you have, well, don't worry. I can manage on snacks."
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:40 pm
"No, I didn't. I offered to feed you, didn't I?" Brian asked with a smile. "Do you want pizza? Take-out? There's a couple places around here that deliver." He gestured then to the rest of the apartment, this time with just one arm. "Go ahead and make yourself at home. Do you want something to drink?"
Already his apartment seemed brighter. Whether it was the time of day or his new company, Brian wasn't sure. Either way, it made him feel warm.
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