Erik sat at his desk, reading an article on foreign disaster management. He had read the same sentence over three times, constantly checking the clock to see how long Conner had been locked in the bathroom.

He wondered if Conner had still been trying to change his gauze. As Erik hadn’t heard anything, he could at least feel confident that Conner had managed not to fall for a second time.

Erik worried as he chewed on his thumb, trying to bring his attention back to the article.

The bathroom door finally opened, Erik turning to see Conner walk over to the closet, grab his pyjamas, and return to the bathroom silently to change.

Erik blinked, resting his chin on his uninjured fist. Had he done something?

His face and hand were pounding from the fight, making it difficult for Erik to recall how he could have upset Conner. Had he been embarrassed that he’d fallen over? That he was undressed?

The image of Conner pushing him out of the bathroom, yelling for him to get out, haunted him.

Erik swore internally, hands in his hair.

Before he had time to think of what he could say when Conner finally emerged, a video-chat request from Anthony appeared on his monitor.

Erik answered, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes as he said, “Hey, what’s up?”

Anthony grinned at him, “Gee, I don’t know, maybe you beating the shit out of Mike Farley? That was pretty epic.”

Erik grimaced. “Maybe for you to watch. I seriously thought I broke my hand.”

Anthony gritted his teeth as he hissed in a breath. “Yikes. What’s the damage?” he asked, his fingers fidgeting on his desk.

“My hand or my education?” Erik smirked.

Anthony laughed lightly with him. “I was thinking about your education.”

Erik sighed, hoping Conner wouldn’t overhear; Conner felt guilty enough as it was. “On top of the probation, I’m suspended for two weeks,” Erik said, “no excuses for missed homework, assignments, or tests. No extra curriculars, and no night-time excursions. Basically, I’m allowed in my dorm, the library, and the dining hall. That’s it.”

“That’s rough man,” Anthony said remorsefully. 

"I'm lucky it wasn't for the rest of the semester. And the dean said I wouldn't have to have a hearing since no one's pressing charges... Guess someone's looking out for me," Erik said, wondering vaguely if it had anything to do with his connection to a certain Conner Voss.

Anothony nodded as he glanced around the room, frowning slightly. “Where’s Conner?”

“Bathroom,” Erik said, feeling nervous. “Did you want me to relay a message or something?” he asked, wondering why Anthony had called him rather than Conner.

Anthony nodded, taking a deep breath before saying, “I think we need to talk to Jannet. At least tell her what the school said about Charlotte and see if she knows anything else. Also, I have no idea what those numbers were about,” Anthony looked at the picture on his phone, “I don’t even really know how to go about researching something like this, which is saying something.”

Erik shook his head, “Don’t look at me, I have no idea. That person—from the shed—called it an ‘encryption’. I’m fairly good with computers, but that’s no encryption I’ve ever seen—”

The bathroom door opened, Erik looking over his shoulder to see Conner in sweatpants and a hoodie. “Hey, you okay?” Erik asked. What he really wanted to say was ‘are you mad at me’ but restrained himself.

Conner made his way over to Erik’s computer. Erik stood up, giving him his chair and propped Conner’s crutches against his desk. Conner wouldn’t look at him as he took a seat, saying, “Thanks,” briefly.

Erik sat on the edge of his bed, hunched over as he listened to their conversation. He could hear Anthony mention Jannet, Conner responding worriedly… Erik’s eyes were getting heavy, his blinks becoming slower. He lay down on his bed. He wasn’t going to go to sleep...just close his eyes for a moment.

~~~

Erik awoke to the sun on his face, groaning as he turned towards the wall. He opened his eyes, sitting up and looking over towards Conner’s neatly made bed. Erik, who was lying on top of his own sheets, noticed he had one of Conner’s quilts thrown over top of him.

He looked at the bookshelf, seeing a small note taped to it.

Erik smiled, feeling his sore lip. His face and hand were still swollen, bruised, and pulsing. He threw off the blanket, walking to the washroom. He ran the water, taking a painkiller.

He was about to get ready for his classes, when he remembered he was suspended. Erik stood there for a moment, unsure what to do next. He didn’t need to do homework, it would be too late to hand in after his suspension.

He looked at the note Conner had left him and took out his phone.

At least Conner didn’t still seem mad at him.

Erik had a smile on his face as he quickly got dressed and put on his black baseball cap to hopefully hide part of his face. He left the dorm, stuffing Conner's note in his pocket, and made his way towards the library. 

Today, he didn’t mind skipping lunch.

Erik entered the library, passing through the security scanners. It took him a moment before he spotted Conner, sitting in the lounge area on a sofa. He looked up as Erik approached him, both of them smiling.

Erik’s heart skipped a beat. “Hey,” he said, sitting beside Conner and slinging his arm over the back of the couch.

Conner was reading a large book about—what Erik could only ascertain as—different kinds of ferns. Conner kept his eyes on his book. “Uh, hey.”

“I got your note,” Erik smiled. “You wrote it on paper... Doesn't that go against your morals?” he teased. 

Conner glared at him briefly. “It was just scrap. I didn't know if you'd check your phone...” Conner sounded distant, like he had the night before.

Erik’s brow twitched into a frown. Conner had been so cheerful in his messages, but as soon as he’d actually seen Erik… “Are you okay?” Erik asked, trying to get Conner to look at him.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Conner looked up at him, grimacing as he said, “You look horrible.”

Erik glanced away from him. Was that it? Was Conner upset about the fight with Mike? “I’m really fine,” Erik assured him. He tapped the book, folding one leg over the other as he leaned in towards Conner, “What are you reading?”

Erik could see Conner’s eyes light up as he said, “It’s about different plants, but I was reading about the selaginella moss fern. I was thinking about having one in the dorm.”

Erik smiled, looking at the picture. “It’s pretty,” he said, then, “I wouldn’t mind having a few plants if you want.” 

“Really?” Conner grinned at him.

Erik was taken aback as he registered Conner's exuberant joy. “Yeah, if you want.” Erik put a hand on his arm, his face giving way to his distress. “Listen, last night, did I do something?” he asked, urging Conner to look at him.

Conner blinked, apparently surprised by Erik’s question. “What? No! Of course, not…” he looked grim, running his fingertips over the picture of the ferns leaves. “I'm not mad you...”

“Just worried?” Erik sighed, looking at how Conner hid his face. “I’m sorry I punched Mike, if that’s what it is.”

Conner gritted his teeth, glancing at Erik’s hand. “I guess you’re not expelled, which is a relief, I’ll admit.” He gulped, asking, “So…what did Mr. Nielson say?”

Erik leaned back into the couch, crossing his arms. “I’m suspended.”

Conner gaped at him, “But, your scholarship—”

“It’s pending investigation, but Mr. Neilson said I shouldn't worry. No one's pressing charges and I won't need a hearing.”

Conner frowned, upset. “I take it back, I am mad at you. Why would you do that?” he asked, pleading with Erik for an explanation.

Erik’s chest felt compressed and heavy. “Because I didn’t like the way he was talking to you.”

Conner flushed, making Erik hold his breath. Conner returned to looking down at his book, shifting slightly closer to Erik. “Well…you sure put him in his place,” he murmured.

“He’s not in hell yet,” Erik smirked, glad to see a smile creep across Conner’s face.

The smile spread to his eyes, Conner stealing a moment to look up at Erik. Erik had never really noticed how Conner’s eyes weren’t just hazel but had an inner ring of brown and outer ring of green. Erik glanced towards the book in Conner’s hands, thinking his eyes had the same green as the fern.

For a moment Erik felt completely content; he didn’t care about the brawl with Michael, or anything to do with the past few nights. He was happy to just sit beside Conner, watching him read. It was comfortable.

Erik’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He slid his arms off the back of the sofa, shifting to take out his phone. His stomach churned as he saw the message, feeling his face fall, his fingers go numb.