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"Hello, Mum! I hope you're doin' alright. Been a while since we talked, yeah? Well, have I got some news for you!"
Steven shuffled his way 'round the fish tank, having just finished tapping out a bit more food into it. He traced his fingers over the postcards hanging from the edge and smiled, bittersweet. He pulled one down and flipped it over to read the back.
"I met a girl! I know, I know, another one? Your little Steven's really gettin' out there in the world. But don't worry! Don't worry. I'm being respectful and all. Actually, I've got a date with her later this week. I'll let you know how it goes, of course. I'm pretty optimistic about this one."
He replaced the card and slipped into what passed in his flat for a kitchenette. Most of his things were in boxes, so he grabbed a premade vegan smoothie from the 'fridge and made his way back over to the telly and plopped down on his chair.
"I'm gonna take her to that little café I told you about, right by work? Yeah, the one where I got lunch, uh, a week or so ago? Yeah, I'm sure you remember. Food was good, and I think the atmosphere would be lovely to bring a girl to. I mean… y'know. Romantic and all."
With his phone pinned between his ear and his shoulder, Steven cracked his smoothie open and took a drink. Then he plucked the clicker from his side table and turned to some show he didn't care about, for a little bit of background noise. People talking about football, or something.
"I gotta confess, I dunno if it's a real *date* date. I mean, the word wasn't *said* but she winked when I asked her, and… oh, Mum, I really like this girl."
He sighed wistfully and glanced around his flat. He caught his reflection in the standup mirror across the room. He looked a bit of a mess, but he'd only just woken up. There was plenty of time to freshen up. Speaking of, actually-
"You'd be chuffed to bits if you saw the flat. I've been… reorganizing. Do you have any idea how many books I've got? Some might say too many, but I dunno how I'm supposed to throw 'em away. What if I wanna rerea-"
Steven? Who are you talking to?
The phone hit the floor with an ugly clatter, and Steven's head snapped back around to the mirror. Marc looked even worse than he did, sleepy and disheveled, hair everywhere.
"Oh… weren't-" Steven swallowed down his anxiety and plastered a smile overtop. "Did you just wake up? I thought I was talkin' to you!"
Marc didn't seem to buy it, but judging by the look on his face, he couldn't think of any reason Steven might lie to him. So he just shook his head, smiling fondly.
Well, I'm up now. Let's get back to packing up, buddy.
"Y- yeah. After breakfast?" Steven held the bottle up so it was visible to the mirror, as if Marc needed the visual.
I have no idea how you drink those disgusting things. Marc was smiling when he rolled his eyes, and Steven tried to match the mood. Fine, just wake me up when you're done.
"Yeah… yeah, alright." Steven gave him a little nod, a warm smile and waited until his reflection was his own before he turned back around and stared blankly at the television. "Laters, gators."