pardon me

River wasn't expecting this. Of course, he felt as if he were knee deep in paperwork at the University. And here he was in the midst of teaching summer school. If only, he'd paid more attention in how the old professor did things. He hated her style.

They'd finished up the last hour watching a French movie, which might not have been everyone's taste. As it was, he was in the cafeteria, looking at a lonely muffin while he stirred more cream in his coffee.

And there was Noah. The last person he expected. He needed his help.

"For what?" River had to laugh. Was he serious? Noah wanted to know what he did wrong when it came to their relationship.

"First, um..was it really a relationship?" He winced as if it was all an accident and too pretentious to call it that. After all, it was his brother who hooked them up. So to speak. They'd never met until River got to the states. Initially, he was only staying with Noah for a while. "I don't want to talk about it." River looked at his coffee wishing he could get the good stuff again. Which evidently, was only made in a little French bistro in Toronto, close to his brother's place.

"I do." Noah's strands of dreadlocks spread across his shoulder. He was serious.

River let out a sigh. Where could he start?

"You..you are so stubborn. Its your way or nothing else." River knew Noah always thought of himself first. Unlike, Declan who was always giving, and always sincere.

"But I was there for you." Noah clarified.

"Of course." River remained even lipped even if the corner's slightly twitched. He took a sip of his coffee. "You're such a bitch."

"I am not." Noah would never believe it.

"See." River shrugged. "Now, leave me alone."

"Please, just tell me, what can I do to get Spencer back?" Noah wouldn't let it go as he leaned in as if it had been a terrible blow. Whatever, it was that happened.

"What did you do?" River tilted his head as if Noah wasn't going to give this up.

"We..we had..a spat..all right, it was a fight." Noah winced as if all he really needed was someone to listen.

"What? Like a fist fight?" River squinted hard. He couldn't see Noah ever getting his face bashed in.

"Something, like that." Noah looked as if he hated to admit he'd stoop that low. As if he were above that sort of thing.

"Well, I'm sure it was disappointing to both of you." River sipped his coffee and picked at the huge blue berry muffin. "Were you actually listening when it happened?" Noah was great at jumping to conclusions, as if he never did anything wrong.

"Yes." Noah glared at him.

"Really?" River glared back as if he was used to this competition.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the best..best boyfriend Spencer ever had. And..and.."

"See, you have to stop being such a pompous ass." River gave him a soured look. "Why would he ever want to tell you anything, if you react that way? Huh?" River shook his head. "You think you are everyone's goddamn savior. But it doesn't work like that. Sometimes, I have to wonder if..if you can really let anyone in. Its like you are this clean slate. But you know, life is messy. Its just... you don't want anyone to know, your mess. That maybe..maybe you aren't really as divine, as you think you are."

Noah had nothing to say at his observation. River could clearly see they were done, and he needed to get out of the cafeteria to start another class.