Work Text:
The night before Edward moved out of Workner’s Room
Five days passed too quickly for Edward. He knew that Workner deserved to have his own space back, but Edward still found himself less than happy to leave.
Workner himself didn’t look overjoyed at Edward’s departure. Though that probably had less to do with Edward leaving, than helping him move the books and scrolls Edward had unintentionally brought into their shared space.
“Just think, Workner. You can go back to using your couch as an over-qualified bookshelf,” Edward huffed as he sat down a large stack of papers on his own desk. Workner refused to rise to the bait, and remained silent as he set down his own stack next to Edward’s. Instead, Workner seemed to be contemplating something.
Not used to Workner’s silence after a quip, Edward frowned a little. “Workner? Are you alright?” He asked. Workner seemed to come to some conclusion, and shook his head at Edward.
“I’m fine, sorry, Ed. Just thinking. How far away from here are your rooms? Are they closer to your office than mine?”
Edward paused, thinking. “About the same, actually. Why?”
Workner bit his lip. Edward stared. The other mage was nervous about something, which wasn’t like Workner. Other people being nervous around Edward was par for the course, but having Workner hesitate rubbed Edward the wrong way. Just as he was about to snap some scathing comment, Workner continued.
“Because… I was wondering…. Ed, do you think you’d be interested in one of those suites that just opened up with the renovations? I think the two of us could afford it, with our salaries, and it would actually be cheaper than our single rooms. We’d get a bigger common room, and updated fixtures and amenities with the newer baths. Plus our own bedrooms. It’s a bit more of a walk to your office, but same for me, and I don’t mind living with you. What do you think?”
Edward blinked at Workner’s sudden information dump. Then his brain processed the other mage’s words, and a light began to dawn. Workner wanted to room with him. Edward had wondered if he was the only one reluctant to change their current arrangements, and it seemed he had his answer. A rare pleased smile crossed his face, and he nodded.
“I think that would work nicely, Workner,” Edward responded. Workner’s answering relieved grin just made Edward’s heart light. The other man had a smile that made people feel better just by seeing it.
Workner dug around in his ever-present satchel, and pulled out a piece of parchment. Edward shouldn’t have been surprised to see the lease agreement, but he was taken aback to see Workner had already signed his portion. At his questioning look, Workner scratched the back of his head.
“I didn’t know if you’d agree, but I figured I could be prepared. I’ll take it to the leasing office first thing tomorrow, and we should be able to move in pretty soon. I take it you don’t really care which one, so long as it’s close to your office?” Edward nodded, took the parchment, and signed his name before returning it.
Workner beamed, and put the lease away. “That’s what I thought. Well, I’m going to go back and start packing my stuff. I’ll see you tomorrow? How about after my late-morning seminar? You won’t eat otherwise,” Workner said, all the while exiting the room. Edward didn’t even have time to say no.
Looking around his office, and his own packed boxes with most of his belongings he hadn’t been using at Workner’s, Edward felt a strange sense of contentment. He’d crash here for the night– not that he hadn’t slept in his office before– and then he’d move everything to his new place tomorrow.
His, and Workner’s.