They returned to campus together, driving back in Dante's car with Adrian's following behind.
The two-car caravan felt symbolic somehow—together but separate, moving in the same direction but maintaining independence.
When they arrived and parked in the student lot, the question that had been hovering unspoken for the entire two-hour drive finally demanded an answer:
Where does Dante stay?
Adrian's single dorm was small but private. Marcus's place was bigger but meant Dante living with his ex. There were other options—Dante could find his own place, they could look for something together, they could maintain complete separation.
They stood in the parking lot between their two cars, bags at their feet, neither quite willing to voice what they were thinking.
Finally, Dante broke the silence.
"I want to stay with you."
Adrian's heart jumped. "Okay."
"But?"
"But I'm worried about moving too fast. We've been officially together for like, three weeks."
