Work Text:
Two days later
Workner would be damned if he gave up his bed ever again. It had already been two days since the impromptu sleepover, but that didn’t seem to matter. He couldn’t remember the last time his back and neck had cricked in such unpleasant ways, or popped with such alarming frequency. Something about the towel he’d used as a pillow, he suspected.
Workner sighed in frustration as he cleared another area of his office for workspace. His piles worked for him, but they didn’t leave much room for writing or grading papers.
Workner hadn’t needed much desk space before. But after he took the professor position, he’d learned that he couldn’t just grade term essays on any random flat surface. He needed a dedicated place where he could laugh, cry, and sometimes marvel at the work his students turned in. It also served as a base of operations where different people could find him for various tasks.
Which didn’t explain why Ed was hovering around.
“Do you need something?” Workner asked, the third time Ed had made a humming noise while perusing Workner’s shelves of books. Edward cleared his throat, then turned to face the other man.
“I… require a favor,” the dark-haired man finally admitted. Workner cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of favor, Ed? Made another noble, and now you don’t know how to deal with their family?”
Ed sneered and raised his chin. “As though the entitled whelps need a reason to get their families involved. But no.” Ed paused, and actually looked uncomfortable. Workner fought a grin. An unsure Ed was a rarity, and never failed to make Workner smile.
Ed didn’t immediately continue. “So, what do you need? I’ll help if I can,” Workner prompted. Ed pinched the bridge of his nose, then sighed.
“I need a place to stay,” the Viper Mage mumbled. Workner didn’t know if he’d heard it properly. He blinked, then squinted like narrowing his eyes would increase his hearing.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I. Need. Lodging. An alchemy student attempted something far beyond their meagre skills, and managed to dissolve a portion of a load-bearing column in the north wing. My current rooms are in the area deemed ‘compromised’ by the engineers.”
Workner had heard something about the incident, of course. He just counted his lucky stars that the mess was beyond his purview. It hadn’t even occurred to him that Ed’s apartments were near the area in question.
“Seriously, Ed? Don’t they have alternative arrangements?”
Ed leaned against the bookcases, crossed his arms, and scowled. “Have you seen what passes for ‘alternative arrangements’ in these cases? I’d have to room with at least two other adults in a suite off-campus. I don’t do ‘off-campus’.”
Workner knew ‘or others’ was implied, even though Ed was here asking to room for the foreseeable future. ‘Others’ never really included Workner when Ed was concerned. Workner nodded slowly as he thought through the idea.
“I agree, it isn’t ideal living off-campus. Especially with your schedule. On the other hand, Ed, you’ve seen my setup. Not exactly ideal for sharing; no extra bed or storage,” Workner said mildly. Ed waved a hand in dismissal.
“All I require is a cot, at most. I rarely spend time in my quarters; other than clothing, I have few other necessary items.”
Workner’s eyes narrowed. Lies. He remembered Ed’s ridiculous hair lotions and potions as a youth, and knew the well-groomed man before him used just as many today. Workner himself liked to keep a good appearance, but he rarely employed anything other than a mild conditioner on the rare formal occasion.
“Where do you suggest you put such a cot? You know my sitting area isn’t that big, and I can’t imagine you wanting people to see you from the hallway,” Workner asked, curious to see if Ed thought that far.
“I noticed a usable alcove behind your couch that would suffice,” Ed answered smoothly.
The two men stared at each other. Finally, Workner closed his eyes in defeat. “You will not touch my piles,” the white-haired man stated-warned as he stood and retrieved a spare key from his locked cabinet. Ed merely narrowed his own eyes.
“That was almost ten years ago, Workner. And only once,” he rebuked as he took the key from Workner’s fingers.
“Coming from you, that complaint means nothing. You hold grudges like most people hold treasured childhood memories,” Workner called after Ed’s retreating figure. Ed didn’t answer, and Workner sat back down behind his desk.