Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The minute they finish supper—

Bastien leans forward, clutching the tablecloth, „Doctor Who pre-premiere specials?“

Father clears his throat.

Bastien rolls his eyes, grumbles, „May I be excused?“

„You may.“

„Thank you for dinner, Father,“ says Dee.

„Thanks,“ adds Karla.

„You're welcome." Father folds his napkin. „I'll be in my study.“ Gets up, leaves the table.

Bastien flutters his eyelashes. „My dear siblings, would you care to join me in the drawing room for televised entertainment?“

Dee smiles apologetically, „Dishes.“

Karla cringes. „Same.“

„I'll help Dee,“ Hermann offers.

Dee frowns slightly.

„Really? Thanks!“

„C'mon!“

Bastien and Karla dash off to the sitting room.

Dee suggests, „You collect the silver while I get the glasses?“

„Sure.“

They clear the table and load the dishwasher.

„Will you help me with something on my computer?“

„Of course.“

Hermann leads Dee to his room, offers his bed.

Dee sits, folds his hands, smiles reassurance.

„Th—“ Hermann clears his throat. „Thanks for this.“

„You're welcome.“

Hermann takes a deep breath. „Would you like tea?“

„I could go for decaf in an hour or so.“

Hermann nods absently, then, „How's Sabine?“

„Busy and stressed.“

„Of course.“

„What would you like help with?“

Hermann wipes his hands on his trousers. „I've decided.“

„The lucky school is ...?“

„The University of Manchester.“ Hermann spins his chair around, retrieves a logo-emblazoned folder with a trembling hand.

Dee accepts and opens it, skims the pages inside. „This ... this is impressive.“ Looks up and beams. „They want to give you the world.“

Hermann swallows, croaks, „The sky, too.“ Swallows again. „If I maintain my marks, they'll grant me three times the usual hours at Jodrell Bank. Wha-whatever I want to study.“

„That's amazing, Manny.“ He sets the paperwork aside, glows at Hermann. „It's everything you wanted.“

„More than I wanted. This's what I've dreamed of.“

„All your hard work is paying off.“

„If Father ....“

„Aaaah ... that's why you want my help.“

Hermann chews his lip, nods a fraction.

„Alright.“ Dee sits straighter. „He's going to ask why you're passing on his university. They have astrophysics, too, yes?“

„They do, but they don't have a dark matter specialist or the Lovell telescope.“

„What about other German schools?“

Hermann shakes his head. „They don't have what I want from a programme. TU Berlin comes the closest.“

„But they don't have dark matter or a great big telescope on call.“

„They don't.“

„Manchester will pay for everything.“

„Yes. Tuition, room, board, books, transit pass, a laptop, a printing allowance, a pre-paid card for the campus shop ... everything I need to survive—“ Shifts. „—except my medications.“

„I don't think Father will hold those hostage. He may not want you to leave, but he never wants to hurt you.“ Runs a hand through his hair. „There may also be a way besides Father to get what you need.“

Hermann frowns. „Don't get yourself in trouble.“

„There's no risk of that.“

„Good. I don't want anyone hurt for my sake.“

Dee shifts. „How do you want to explain this to Father?“

„I was, uh, hoping you'd have a suggestion.“

Dee considers. „Have you sent an acceptance yet?“

„I wanted to wait until I had permission to go.“

„You've drafted it?“

Hermann sniffs.

„Of course you have.“ Dee grins, eyes sparkling. „Send it electronically right now.“

„Why?“ Hermann swivels his chair, wakes his PC.

„Father believes promises must be kept.“

Hermann pauses with his fingers on the keyboard. „So if I've already promised them I'll attend ....“

„He'll feel compelled to let you go.“

„You're evil.“ Hermann attaches his draft to an email, takes a deep breath, and clicks 'send'.

„Sabine's teaching me.“

„Thank her for me.“ He turns off his monitor with a very final-sounding chik. „It's done.“

„Excellent. Ready to tell Father?“

Hermann shuffles his loosely-bound wings, squares his shoulders. „I believe I am.“

Dee stands, offers a hand up. „Then let's go share the good news.“