Nobody had ever spoken so bluntly to him like that before. They knew what the barn owl was saying was true - Lance was partially to blame, and they were doing what they could.

The bus drive felt shorter than normal. Lance hopped up the steps leading to their apartment, counting all seventeen steps on each flight of stairs.

Lin left the door unlocked. Lance sighed softly and pushed open the door with their shoulder. They locked the door and kicked off their shoes, hanging up their keys on the hooks by the door.

Lin's voice rang through the small apartment. It was light and giggly - they must have been on the phone. Lance stepped out of the doorway and into the living room, taking off their glasses and pulling out their hearing aids as they entered the room.

"I'm home."

"Oh! I didn't hear you come in." Lin was sitting on the couch but stood at Lance's entrance. "You're home a few minutes early, too."

"Am I?" Lance looked at their watch, "I clocked out at the usual time. Maybe the bus was earlier than normal."

Lin stood by Lance, smiling sharply. It wore a pink suit and white button-down - they must be going to work soon. Their white hair was cut short and curled at the ends, framing their sharp face. Lance brushed their bangs out of their face, receiving a small giggle from the other. White eye-shadow complimented their light brown skin, smudged on their eyes and cheekbones.

"How was work?"

"Fine. Did some tours, did some data collecting. The usual." Lin looked skeptical but didn't press.

"I completely forgot!" Lin's expression lit up as soon as it started to dim. "My boyfriend's here!"

Lin stepped aside, revealing the whole couch. Lance didn't even realize somebody else was there. They put their glasses back on, clearing their throat awkwardly.

"Sorry. Didn't see you there."

"It's alright. It's good to see you again, Doctor."

It was the barn owl from the tour.

This was the first time Lance got a real look at him. His dark hair was curly, growing in grey patches, and tied up in a knot at the top of his head. His wings were smaller than most birds Lance had known and were light brown and white. His dark skin was patched with pale spots over the right side of his face and neck.

"You can call me Lance out of the lab."

"Aiden."

"Aiden just graduated college," Lin explained, "He's staying with his parents right now while he looks for a more permanent place to stay."

"Well, I'm sure Lin's already offered you a place to stay if you ever need to get away or take a break from your family."

"They have. I won't take up the offer unless you're comfortable with it, of course."

"I'm rarely here," Lance replied, shrugging. "So long as you're not going through my things, I won't mind."

"I left dinner on the stove," Lin told Lance, "We already ate, so go ahead and take what you want."

"Are you going to work?"

"Yeah. Aiden's driving me, but I'll be back on the last bus."

"I'll see you then."

The couple said their goodbyes and left. Lance locked the door behind them, sighing softly. They heated leftovers in the microwave before going to the living room and setting the warm plate on the coffee table. Lance leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before groaning and sliding so they were lying down.

Aiden was - arguably - very handsome. Lance knew Lin had good taste in people, but Aiden was by far one of the better-looking partners. 

Lance couldn't believe themself. They had just met him and were already reminiscing on his looks.

Lance sat up and focused on finishing dinner, ignoring every thought about Aiden.