Cronkri: I won't let you down

Chapter 32: Cronus

I was so relieved when Kanny agreed to come home with me. We set out on the road, leaving the city behind and driving through endless cornfields. The sun set slowly and the stars started shining above us, lighting up the night sky. Kan held my hand as he started dosing off in the passenger seat, and my mind started to wander. What now? We go home and get him settled in, and then what? He's still only 17. We can't just adopt him, that'd make it illegal for us to date. I oughta just wait till he turns 18, then he'll be a legal adult, able to make his own choices. Maybe then we could go off to some college and room together. Yeah, college! We'd share a room and get to spend as much time together as possible! I smiled at the thought and looked back over at him, sleeping peacefully in the seat next to me. His hand was still resting in mine and the radio played quietly in the background. The stars were still shining above and the open road laid out in front of us. In that moment, it was perfect.

_______

"MOOOOM! DAAAAD! WE'RE HOOOOME!"

Majesty rushed downstairs to greet us properly, grinning ear to ear to see that Kankri had come back with me. "You brought him home!! This is fantastic! Is he going to be living with us now?"

He nodded. "I certainly hope so." His voice remained serious but we could see the twinkle in his eyes and the smile on his face. Kankri was just as happy to be here with us as we were to have him.

"Wonderful! I have your room all set up. There's a king sized bed in Cro's room, but we also have a spare guest room in case you want some privacy."

"This ain't the first time he stayed with us, Mom. I think he knows the drill by now."

"I know... I'm just so glad to see the two of you together again!"

She grinned and went in to hug Kankri, who returned it quickly and awkwardly. Damn man, learn how to hug right, geez. When she hugged me, she whispered, "Check the drawer in your nightstand. I left something there for the two of you~!"

It's definitely condoms. I'm calling it right here. 

"Thanks Mom. I'll help him unpack and stuff."

"Alright! I'll call you boys down when dinner's ready."

Kankri got settled for, what, the third time in the last six months? I gotta admit, I was getting used to him hiding out here.

"Hey Kan, when's your birthday again?" I asked, flopping down onto the bed.

"July 17th, why?"

I grinned. "By then, we'll both be 18."

I thought he'd be happy about it, but he continued putting his clothes away in cold silence.

"Right?" I tried getting him to reply.

"That's nine months away, Cronus. We would have to keep hiding for nine whole months."

"I can wait. We could apply for college over the summer and plan on getting out of here by then."

Kankri was silent again, which was starting to unnerve me. 

"Kanny?"

"That won't work."

"What? Why not? It's a perfect idea!"

"Cronus, please don't be offended by this, but I doubt we'll end up at the same college. Based on our high school records, I'm a straight-A model student, and you... aren't."

I frowned. "Alright, I know I didn't try all that much in high school, but I graduated, right?"

"Right, but-"

"Then what's the problem?"

"I skipped a grade and graduated at the top of my class. You remember I was  valedictorian, right?"

I mumbled something under my breath.

"I want to go to a good college. It's a lot of money to go to college at all, and I don't have money to waste on an experience less than fantastic."

"My folks'd be happy to pay for your college! And what about all those scholarships you got?" I sat up.

"I couldn't possibly put the burden of extra student loans on your parents, and a lot of the scholarships expired since I didn't use them right away. Look. Cronus, I reeeally want to attend a prestigious college. I'll be more likely to get a good job that pays well."

"You can get good jobs at a state school!"

"It's not the same. Going to Harvard Law has been my dream since I was 10."

"But..." I scrambled to find an excuse, "but ain't there like, too many lawyers in the world or somethin?"

"Maybe so, but I feel that people would want me as a priority over others. Not to toot my own horn, but I am incredibly well-learned and knowledgeable about the world. Not to mention I was captain of the debate team in high school."

My argument was cut short when Mom's voice rang in from downstairs, "DINNER'S READY!"

I stood up. "I don't wanna argue with you, Kan."

Kankri walked downstairs with no more than a short "hm."

_______

All during dinner, college didn't come up once. We talked about all the stuff Kankri saw and did during his misadventures in the city. My dad thought it was HILARIOUS hearing all the stories, since he grew up in NYC. Chicago's nothin' compared to the Big Apple, lemme tell ya.

That night was family movie night. It was nice having someone to sit with instead of being the third wheel to my parents. We all sat on the couch in the basement, it went Dad, Mom, me and Kanny. 

I thought Kan was gonna make a huge deal out of the argument we had and ignore me completely, but he snuggled up to me and let me put my arm around his shoulders during the movie. Turns out one stupid argument won't make him any less of a huge snuggle bug. I kissed his head sweetly and I could've sworn I saw him smile, just a little bit.

((A/N)) Sorry for the long wait! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!