Chapter Text
"Oh, Quinten..? You wish to travel... where..?"
His mother hesitates briefly, hardly believing that her reclusive, shy son wants to travel so far away from home.
"Denmark." He says it quietly, but firmly.
"But why?"
Quinten ponders the statement for a moment.
"I wish to attend a program there over the summer."
"But... you'll be in Europe..."
Quinten nods, wondering why his mother was stating the obvious.
"Do you think you'll... benefit... from this..?"
Quinten nods again.
"I suppose you are an adult now... May I ask what the program is for..?"
Quinten sighs. He'd already explained this, but his mother was too focused on the word "Denmark" to have heard any of it. "There is a physics summer program which I have been invited to. I am almost done with my degree, and this will help me greatly. It is in the capital city of Copenhagen. In Denmark." His words are slow, but clear and concise.
"But... Denmark..."
He blinks. "Yes. Denmark."
She stands up, taking a deep breath. "You didn't even qualify for the army, how will you possibly fare?"
This comparison is illogical to Quinten. He would not be fighting in a physics program. Whether or not he is able to enlist in the millitary is irrelevant. But, he supposed, his mother is not a logical person.
Quinten stares for a while, before deciding to be blunt. "I am 22. I am going. It will be fine."
He thinks for a bit, before adding: "Copenhagen is a very safe city."
She sighs, before nodding reluctantly. "Very well then. I suppose I cannot keep you around forever. You must be able to leave and do wonderful research. Win awards. And I suppose the United States is not the best outlet for these things..."
Quinten looks down, before agreeing. His mother could be so overbearing sometimes, almost to the point of stifle. He appreciates the care, but it causes him immense anxiety.