Work Text:
Ambrose Bassford was supposed to be ready for college. When he went to college, Caspian was ready for it.
Caspian also went to a state school known for partying. Ambrose silently felt proud that he did something not just to his brother's level but better. While Caspian was partying, Ambrose would be studying the classics at a prestigious school.
And setting a good example for Livinia.
His last day before moving to Ardess was emotional for Ambrose's family. Even his dad, stoic as ever, seemed to be a little worried for Ambrose. When he mentioned having a roommate, something he had never done before - all his life, he'd had his bedroom. Even in his youngest memories, he slept alone - his dad just reminded him that "People drop out before the semester starts. I'm sure they will have, and they won't know your situation. As long as you don't say anything about it."
Ambrose wasn't even thinking about his situation before that.
Livinia spent all her free time writing. But today, she shut down her computer and took a break from writing to help Ambrose and their mom pack the car with Ambrose's belongings. The room was silent until their mom left to put a suitcase full of clothing into the car.
"Will you be okay at school?" Livinia asked, twirling a corner of his bedsheet around her finger as she asked.
He was supposed to set a good example for Livinia. So, instead of confiding in her about being worried - if his Dad, who was never worried about anything, seemed nervous about him going to Ardess, even with his own experience there, then Ambrose was also scared - he gave a casual smile.
"Liv, maybe it's me who should worry. I mean, who's gonna make sure you're eating well while writing about those... show characters?" Livinia smiled brightly.
"Ambrose, I eat fine!" Ambrose scoffed, and smiled fondly.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I guess you do. Sue me for worrying!" Livinia noted, and winced as she did so.
"Ow, that actually hurt." Ambrose rolled his eyes.
"Get to work."
--
It was quiet for quite a bit after that. Their mom came back in, and they continued to back Ambrose's room up—putting the stuff that was coming to Ardess in the car and the rest of his belongings in the spare closet. Seeing his room, perfectly decorated to his personality, bare and empty with the only remnants of him being the tape marks on the wood panels on the wall, was depressing. This was it.
This was his last day at home.
He was leaving Martinsville, with only one person he vaguely knew accompanying him.
Maybe he'd get to know her a little. Or maybe he'd make friends with his roommate. The welcome email Ambrose got the week before included information on Vincent - a biology major, who was heavily involved in the arts in high school, and from Lexington.
Ambrose sighed, staring at his empty room one last time, before he followed Livinia into the living room.
--
The night was a lot more relaxed than the day was. Usually, the family TV stayed off, his dad citing that TV is bad for brain development. Or, if it was on, it was only playing the news or playing music. But today, the family put on a movie - the unspoken 'We need to spend time as a family before it's just Livinia' hanging in the gloomy silence and Sunset Boulevard playing in the background.
As if a movie would drown out the dread hanging in the air.
Caspian slipped into the room about halfway through the movie, seemingly trying to be unnoticed. But he so rarely came around anymore that Livinia's excited "CASS!" brightened the mood.
Caspian laughed, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. "Hey, Liv. How's your writing going? Well, I hope. Hey, 'Brose. Congrats on the acceptance. College can be great. Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad." Caspian and their dad seemed to have a silent standoff for a second, glaring daggers at each other, before Caspian broke the silence.
"Look, let's not start shit. I'm here for Ambrose. Last day in this shitty town!" He pumped his fist in the hair, and put said fist out. Ambrose pumped his own fist, and Caspian laughed.