A New Adventure (a Fiddauthor Fanfiction)

>> Four <<

     Did...did Ford just hear that correctly?

     I think I love you. 

     It played on repeat in his head.

     Ford had been somewhere between consciousness and the first stage of sleep when he heard it. For a few minutes, Ford was convinced he heard it wrong. However, the more he thought about it, the more confident he was that he had certainly heard an I love you.

     His heart was beating erratically, his palms were sweaty, his face was hot...but he couldn't move. He couldn't disturb Fiddleford, who was snoring lightly in his arms. He couldn't stop thinking about those words...those wonderful words.

     Did he feel the same? Did Fidds intend to say that out loud? Did he mean it? Did he feel the same?

     He figured the way his heart was speeding out of control was a sure sign that he at least felt something. He looked over to his roommate and brushed his the curls out of his face.

     "I think I love you, too."

~

     The following week occurred in a blur of papers, broken pencils, cups of ramen, and little to no sleep. Neither of them had time to talk about what had happened that night, nor enough time to make any real plans for the holidays. Fiddleford aced all of his finals, scoring higher than Ford on the finals they shared. Ford had never been more impressed with the hillbilly, and he congratulated him numerous times. Ford also aced all his finals, though he felt somewhat disappointing with the less-than-perfect scores he received on two of his papers.

     The last day of finals after class had ended, Ford was sitting at his desk in the dorm room. It was decorated with all sorts of pictures, post cards, and mathematical equations and diagrams. The wood was sturdy, made of oak and chestnut, and still smelled like home to him. However, home was not exactly a pleasant thought. He thought of Stanley. He missed him.

     Ford brushed the thoughts aside and looked down at a journal he had been keeping. It was a basic recording of his thoughts during his college years, though it contained some scribbles and doodles. The newest addition was a sketch of his roommate.

     The door to their dorm swung open and revealed a beaming Fiddleford; Ford quickly shut his journal, his face and ears turning a rosy pink.

     "Fidds! How was your last final?" Ford asked enthusiastically, shutting the leather-bound book in a drawer and jumping up to meet his friend.

     Fidds smiled brilliantly, "It was fantastic! I got the highest score in the class! I think I made the right decision, comin' to this school."

     Ford grinned and patted Fidds on the back, "That's great to hear. I'm so happy for you."

     Fidds' knees went weak at Ford's touch. "Thank ya, Stanferd," he replied shakily. After setting down his books and his bag, he walked to his bed and tried to calm his racing heartbeat.

     Ford wandered back to his desk, "We should celebrate; our first semester of college is over. Maybe we could go get some coffee?"

     Fidds smiled weakly, "I'll be honest: I'm a bit coffee-d out after this last week."

     Ford smacked his forehead, "Of course. Well, is there anything you'd like to do?"

     Fidds shrugged, "We could watch a movie, I 'spose."

     "That sounds wonderful."

*  *  *  *  * 

     The two stayed up later than usual, sitting close together on their cheap, scratchy couch watching Star Wars and drinking peppermint tea, one of Ford's personal favorites. Just as the clock stuck eleven, the sky opened and a beautiful snowfall began.

     Fidds, being from the south, rarely got to see a snowfall. It was the third time that winter, and each time Fidds had a major overreaction, tugging on Ford's sleeve like an sugar-filled child in a toy store. Ford thought it was cute, or, um...funny. Admirable, even. He genuinely enjoyed watching his roommate gaze out the window, awestruck by the natural occurrence that is snow.

     Ford noticed first; he began watching the gentle snowfall as he nudged Fidds' shoulder with his own. "Look."

     Fidds turned, and he fell in love with the snow all over again. "Oh, Ford. Look at it! It's really comin' down! What if we get snowed-in?"

     Ford and Fidds' eyes met, "Would it really be so terrible?"

     Fidds blushed, "Of...course not!" He looked down at his hands, which were trembling with an odd mixture of excitement and extreme anxiety. "Listen, Ford. I... got somethin' to tell ya."

     Ford stared down at his roommate, his heart beginning to pick up speed once more. "You can tell me anything, Fiddleford."

     Fidds ran his hand through his hair, pulling on the ends slightly. "I... think I might... like you?" he whispered almost inaudibly.

     Ford's stern expression turned into an enormous smile. "You do?"

     Fidds nodded, still looking away from Ford; he was terrified to see how his friend would react.

     "You know, the night we got back from the campin' trip was when I realized it. I knew I loved ya then. I didn't say nothin' because I was terrified you'd hate me," Fidds explained, his voice very noticeably trembling.

     Ford placed an arm around Fidds' shoulders, pulling him in against his chest. "Well, I think I love you too."