draco_thegreat (draco_thegreat) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-08-08 08:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, draco malfoy, zuko |
Who: Draco and Zuko Malfoy
What: College visiting
When: July 31st
Where: College campus
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Draco pulled up outside their apartment and texted Zuko to let him know he was waiting downstairs. He’d been a little longer at the music store than he’d said but not by much. He knew going up to collect Zuko would delay them even further though so instead opted to wait.
He was excited for his husband, Zuko would excel at college Draco just knew it. He was one of the smart ones and it was good he was using his brain in a productive way. And of course it was great for Draco that his husband had also agreed to manage his career, it felt reassuring to know Zuko would be with him throughout everything.
Zuko was down a minute later, pausing at the door to lock it, and then throw his keys into a messenger bag he had at his side. He wasn’t one to carry things like that around usually, but he figured it there were a lot of pamphlets or informational packets he needed to carry, it was easier that than carting around a folder.
“Hey,” he said to Draco as he opened up the passenger side door and slid into the seat, and then a little further to offer his husband a peck on the lips in greeting.
"Hey" Draco greeted in response kissing Zuko back happily. Despite the amount of time they spent together Draco still couldn't get enough of his husband, he figured that was a good sign.
"So where to first?" he asked restarting the engine.
“Irvine is closer,” Zuko said, buckling his seatbelt with the diligence that had been ingrained in him since his mother had died in a crash. “I figured that would be the best place to go first.” Even if it wasn’t his first choice for schools. It was all about being economical with their time.
“Sure” Draco nodded, he didn’t really mind how they went about it in truth. He’d happily zig zag across the county if that’s the order Zuko wanted to do things. He pulled away and onto the road, “You found some good courses then?”
“Not really sure. Figured I’d look into the programs and then the courses. Won’t make much of a difference until I get the gen eds done with anyway.” Zuko made a face to show exactly what he thought about being forced to take any kind of science class. Useless. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms and looking a bit lazy.
Draco nodded, "You know I'll help as much as I can" he said, "Pansy too, she's the brainy one so she'll definitely be a great help for you"
He glanced across at his husband, "You'll do great even with the science stuff" yes he knew Zuko that well.
Zuko didn’t particularly think he’d need any help if he had to be honest, but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. It just seems silly because -- what do I really need chemistry for, anyway?”
Draco laughed, "Well I like to think our brand of chemistry is rather good, you can't learn that though. The normal kind is pretty boring"
He knew Zuko would ace everything but thought it important to let him know he had support should he want it.
Zuko gave a snort at that, narrowing the one eye that wasn’t just kind of permanently that way in the first place. “Can you imagine taking a class on sexual chemistry? What would it be? Orgy 101?”
Draco laughed before looking at Zuko mock seriously, "No taking that class thank you very much" then grinned.
“You’re not fun at all,” Zuko said in a mock pout, but then shrugged, straightened himself out in his seat and glanced out the window. “Thanks. For -- you know. Being encouraging.”
"I'm sure its part of the husband job description" Draco smiled, "And even if it wasn't I'd do it. You're one of the smartest people I know so its great you want to use that. Plus you know it works in my favour what with you being manager now"
“I see how it is,” Zuko smiled though, looking out at the road, and fingers curling pleasantly around his seatbelt. “Using me for all that managing.” But he was kidding. “Speaking of which, I’ve been thinking on that a bit. I’ve taken some notes. I’ll show you between schools. I think we’ll have time to stop for lunch.”
“I can think of much better ways to use you” Draco teased in return, with a bit of a leer before he returned his attention to the road. “Lunch is good, you have me all intrigued now. Notes and everything, it’s all very serious”
“I’m very serious, in general,” Zuko pointed out, and it was really only half true these days -- he’d chilled out an awful lot since his sister and her wife had seen fit to move out of town, and his uncle had disappeared off the face of the planet. He should have felt worse about it, but honestly he just preferred that his life felt smoother and more normal without them. “Intrigue is good and all, but I think I’d prefer to hear how you’d like to use me.”
While Draco agreed that Zuko could be serious he also knew his husband had a wicked sense of humor and a healthy sense of fun and adventure. Draco was lucky enough to see it more than most. “I’ll tell you later I promise, but if I start now I might get too distracted and run us off the road”
Zuko snorted, amused, and then pointed to a freeway exit. “Fine, if you won’t participate in sexy fun, the college is just over there.” Well, the college would have been there either way. But still.
“Oh I’ll participate” Draco assured his husband as he pulled off the freeway, “Just when it won’t kill us”
Zuko only shook his head, and looked over the map of the college campus on his phone until they found a parking spot. “This shouldn’t be too bad. Get a pamphlet. Wander around a bit...”
“Sure” Draco said parking the car and turning off the engine, “Maybe grab one of the professors taking a class you’re interested in, see what they have to say” he suggested
When they were out of the car and half way across an overly green patch of grass that led through a portion of the campus, Zuko offered his hand to Draco. “Maybe. Or an advisor? Are they worth it?” To be honest, Zuko wasn’t really one for asking for help.
Draco took the offered hand and twined their fingers together, "I guess so, I mean they should know about everything they offer so..." he shrugged but nodded, "worth a go anyway"
---
It had taken some wandering, but eventually they’d found an office that offered pamphlets of information both about course loads and majors. They were lucky enough to find someone willing to talk to Zuko (with Draco present), and he realized after a bit of talking that it was going to take some effort to apply nearly anywhere just because he wasn’t a proper age to fill out all the forms without a parent.
Of which, of course, Zuko had none. There were different papers for that.
All in all, Zuko felt like they’d accomplished a lot, and he’d learned a bit more than what he’d come in with. That was something, even if it was a bit aggravating.
“Ugh,” he said, bumping shoulders with Draco on the way out in the hall. “Parents.”
They had accomplished a lot and Draco was proud of Zuko already. It did seem absurd to Draco that they were married yet Zuko still needed parental permission.
"I know, its crazy. I didn't think there would be so many hoops to jump through" Draco replied, taking Zukos hand.
“I think they just don’t like doing extra paperwork,” Zuko made a face, but curled his fingers around Draco’s anyway. “It’s not like I should need to fill out the financial aid forms. I can afford tuition without.”
"Guess its all ticking boxes and stuff for them, maybe the more forms they get filled in the more funding they get" cynical yes but possibly not far off.
Probably not. Zuko rolled his eyes in preemptive frustration that would be the process for getting into a school, but it wasn’t nearly as bitter as it could have been. He was still pretty excited.
“So. Should we grab a bite? Or just find the most secluded spot to make out in?”
He should be excited, Draco was sure Zuko would get more enjoyment out of it than he had and would naturally excel at whatever it was he had to do.
“My vote will always be for anything that means making out with you” Draco told him, thumb stroking the back of Zuko’s hand where their fingers were entwined.
“Yes,” Zuko agreed with a half of a smile. “I thought that might be the case. I saw a pretty nice looking alcove over there....”