Day Before Thanksgiving - Seattle

[Rick Ferguson]

"Yeah, I think we're both kind of beat. Thank you again!"

[Marcus Kingston]

"Goodnight you two," she said with a smile."Night."

"Night Mom. Dad." Marcus cleared off their plates and set them in the dishwasher before heading to his room.

[Rick Ferguson]

"Goodnight!"

Rick followed Marcus to his room, bringing is luggage with him. Once they were inside, he shut the door behind him.

"Well, that could've been worse."

[Marcus Kingston]

"Yeah. Each year he manages to dig deep down to find more to say to you. It's progress," he pointed out before just falling back onto his head. His attention jumping from one old item in his room to another. It put a smile on his face.

[Rick Ferguson]

"Just like you left it?" He smiled as well, plopping down on Marcus's bed.

[Marcus Kingston]

"Yeah. It's cool." He chuckled. "Shows I haven't grown up too much. I'd still be interested in like 95% of the stuff still in here. I'm just a big kid." He reached over to hook an arm around Rick and pulling him over closer.

[Rick Ferguson]

"Nothing wrong with that." He smiled back, leaning in close to Marcus. "I like your room."

[Marcus Kingston]

His room seemed typical of kid who was a huge jock at sixteen. He had a queen sized bed, the sheets all a navy blue color. The white walls were covered in everything from posters of music band and videogame characters, collectibles from card games, and pictures taken from games he played in and other big events. There was a pretty large cabinent to the side that was filled with trophies and other awards both for sports and other school related things. Of course, across from the bed there was a good sized TV that had several game systems hooked up to it.

"I like it too," he smiled then thought for a moment. "Much better with you here in it."

[Rick Ferguson]

"Yeah. That's something that I really like about college; we never got to room together in New York." He smirked. "Guess they didn't want anyone else we'd be rooming with to have to put up with us."

[Marcus Kingston]

"Not that the days of sneaking back and forth into each others' rooms weren't fun. Of course, your roomies were always MIA. Just what did you do to them?" He asked, grinning.

[Rick Ferguson]

"That was mostly the first year, heh. I dunno where they always were though."

[Marcus Kingston]

"You scared them off or something," he teased. Marcus fell silent, just feeling pretty content lying there.

"You know, he's still kind of a jerk but he's trying to be okay with things."

[Rick Ferguson]

"Maybe he's finally in the 'acceptance' stage of mourning?" He rolled his eyes. "I love how parents act like having a gay kid is the same thing as having your kid die in a tragic accident."

[Marcus Kingston]

He gave a sad smile. "Yeah..that's sort of what it's like huh?"

[Rick Ferguson]

"For some of them anyway. I guess we must be zombies or something." He sighed a bit.

[Marcus Kingston]

"I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if it was an expectations thing...anyway, I guess I just wanted to let you know it seems he feels pretty bad about it. As to why he feels bad, could be a variety of things but it's there."

[Rick Ferguson]

Rick shrugs. "Good for him. Maybe one day he'll get used to us and stop acting like he's got some glue stuck in his throat when it's time to talk."

[Marcus Kingston]

He grinned at that but didn't reply. He just closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

[Rick Ferguson]

"Okay, bathroom time and I'm ready to sleep." He got up and pulled out all his toothbrush and toothpaste and went to the bathroom, emerging a few minutes later.

[Marcus Kingston]

Marcus had already stripped down, only in a pair of PJ pants now he was lying back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

[Rick Ferguson]

"I'm done, whenever you're ready." Hot.

[Marcus Kingston]

"Okay," Marcus said while hopping up and heading into the bathroom. After brushing his teeth he returned and took a seat on the bed. He yawned deeply.

[Rick Ferguson]

Rick did the same. "Contageous." He laid down next to Marcus, staring at the ceiling. "So...are you getting ready for finals yet?"

[Marcus Kingston]

"I did some studying here and there. I also started on what parts I could so that when procrastination kicks in..and can procrastinate longer because some's done already," he said playfully.

"You? Though maybe you haven't since you did just get back."

[Rick Ferguson]

"A little. I brought some of my books to read while I was up there, of course."

[Marcus Kingston]

He nodded. "Not that I ever have to worry about you much when it comes to school. You're normally doing well unless the subject is just completely kicking your butt. That or the teacher is horrible to deal with and does stupid things."

He laid back and got a little more comfortable.

[Rick Ferguson]

"I try." He yawned again, setting in and pulling up the blankets.

[Marcus Kingston]

He turned onto his side, snuggling up closer to Rick and draping and over over his mid-section. He yawned as well. "Time for bed," was the last thing he said before drifting off to sleep.

[Rick Ferguson]

"Yup." Rick closed his eyes and smiled, falling into deep, much-needed sleep.