Finn’s POV:

What’s going on? One second, we’re being asked about our dorm, and then Eric is defending his parents from themselves. I’ve never had a meal with a group this confusing. Suddenly, Eric’s father turns his attention to me instead. 

“Finnegan, was it? Can you attest to this?” 

Attest to what? Being friends with Eric?

I nod. “Eric and I are friends. He’s a great roommate and a great cook. I think he’s a model student.”

Everyone at the table stares at me in silence like none of them believe me. 

Eric’s father clears his throat. “I see.”

Eric’s mother looks at me quizzically. “I’ll take your word for it, dear.”

I give them a confused look. “What’s the issue?”

Mrs. Uriah speaks again. “Eric has always gotten mediocre grades compared to all his childhood acquaintances. It’s rather disappointing, I must say.” She sighs. “It’s a shame. I thought we’d raised him to be the top of his class. Perhaps we really have failed as parents.”

This isn’t any way to be speaking about their son. Especially in front of him. I glance over at him to see that his face is completely resigned. I’m not even sure he’s listening to them. 

“Didn’t Eric win multiple writing contests in the past?” I ask them. I want them to recognize that their son is praiseworthy.

His father snorts. “Of course. Those wastes of time, you mean. That kind of thing doesn’t matter. Studying something important would have been much better for his social development and his financial development. Writing indeed.”

My expression falls. “I’m sorry, but that’s no way to speak of your son’s achievements. He has accomplished a lot in his time writing and he gained both merit and powerful friends with those contests. Writing is no small feat. In a contest with so many people, your son was the one to outshine them all. Eric. I hardly think that’s something to scoff about.”

Mrs. Uriah pipes up again, patronizing. “Dear, we aren’t saying that it’s unimpressive entirely, we’re just saying that something like medicine or law would have been a better choice for him. After all, it would help him be financially stable for the rest of his life. I personally do not care what dream he wishes to pursue in his free time, but I would’ve been proud if he chose something wiser.”

Eric finally speaks up. “It’s alright, Finn. She has a point. I know I’ve chosen a risky path and my choice will cost me a lot, but I think I’ll make more of this major than any other. Sincerely.”

I sigh. “If you say so.”

The Uriah parents exchange a knowing look that I wish I understood. 

The rest of dinner passes in silence, like I expected it to this whole time. But this quiet is very distant, like an empty room echoing our previous words even though no voices break the silence. 

After dinner, Eric and I stiffly said goodnight to his parents, whose room was on the first floor. We walk up the stairs without speaking like we had when we first entered the house. Somehow, I feel like I have more and less understanding of how this household works. Well, more like how this household doesn’t work. 

As soon as the door to Eric’s room is shut, he turns around and wraps his arms around me, pressing his face against my chest. I’m startled, but I return his embrace almost instantly. Is he not gonna lock the door…? 

I’m distracted by his next words.

Eric speaks in a mumble that I can barely hear with his face obscured. “Thank you for trying to stand up for me. I know they’re hard to argue with. I gave up years ago.” 

I fold my arms around him securely, tightly enough that it might hurt, but I know he prefers that kind of hug. I bury my face in his hair and let out a deep sigh. 

“Eric… fuck, Eric….” I mutter. I’m a little peeved at myself that I didn’t quite believe the shit about his parents. Maybe it’s because I always thought my parents were the worst in the world- but I see now that perhaps having no parents is better than having this kind.

Eric’s POV:

The way he said my name… I might just make him say it every day like that from now on. My name on his tongue- that tone he’s using- this isn’t the right train of thought to be having right now… but I can’t help it. God, he’s hot. 

It’s only seconds before my lips are on his and he’s against the wall, inverse of our first night in the apartment. He startles slightly but seems to relax into it, but only for a moment before he pushes me away and looks frantically at the door. 

“Here-? I mean- they- your parents-” he stutters. It’s cute.

I almost laugh, leaning against him instead. “No, not here… another time, I guess.” I wrap my arms around him once more before leading him to my bed and laying down, nestling into the warm embrace that wraps around me almost instantly.

This is heaven… until we wake up- the door now wide open- in hell.