jenesaispourquoi:

Tom sat slumped at his desk, staring bleakly at his computer screen. Five and a half pages of what was supposed to be an eight page paper stared reproachfully back at him. An hour ago, five and a quarter pages had felt like an accomplishment. He ran his fingers through his too-long hair and made a noise of frustration. It would be a violation of my Oath to make the professor forget tomorrow’s deadline, he told himself sternly. …Today’s deadline, he amended, glancing at the clock, which is in three and a half hours. That’s…a page every hour, plus an extra forty-five minutes for citations and printing. He laid his forehead on the desk in defeat. Or three and a half hours to question my existence.

 I hate finals.

“You and me both,” came a familiar voice, and Tom nearly upended his laptop in shock.

“Carl! I thought you weren’t going to—?”

“Change of plans.”

“But—”

“And by change of plans, I mean the sudden realization that messing with timeslides is decidedly not studying or working on any of the assignments I have due.” He flopped down on his bed and glared at the ceiling. “Even though I’d much rather go on errantry.”

Tom pushed away from his desk and swiveled to face his roommate, glad for the distraction. “Don’t let anyOne hear you say that,” he teased. “Haven’t we had that issue before?”

“I don’t care. In fact,” Carl rolled onto his side and grinned. “I’D MUCH RATHER GO ON ERRANTRY.” Silence, then—

“Shut the fuck up!” came a muffled voice from the other side of the wall. Tom burst out laughing, and even Carl chuckled.

“I suppose that’s our answer,” gasped Tom when he could breathe again. “Can’t use the Work to avoid the work.” He sighed, turning to face his desk again. “I need about a week between now and three hours from now.”

“Me, too.” Carl developed a thoughtful look. “Actually…”

Something in his tone made Tom look at him sharply. “You’re not going to suggest anything that will get us in trouble, are you?”

“No! Well, not technically. But think of what I’ve been working with for the past few months.” Silence, during which Tom definitely did not gape at Carl like he was the One Itself.

“Where do you want to spend the next week? More importantly, when would you like to spend the next week?” (from snowflurriedsky​ (aka littleskywatcher)