*he won't move when he wakes up; it's too comfortable here, and it's cold outside the blanket*

*Bernardo's decided that if he waits until he's absolutely satisfied with his French, he'll never be able to move--so he's checking out job listings in the newspapers online*

*skip forward a month and a half, maybe; loose ends and thank-you notes have been picked up and it's drawing near September*

*let's just follow on from the last thread in the line where things don't go to hell - sometime after Bernardo and Laertes have dressed and probably had dinner, they owe each other a dance*

typist: okay, fluff.

*it's been a few weeks, then, since Laertes got to Denmark; Bernardo has pretty much given up on trying to talk about their problems. it doesn't feel like they're engaged, now, not lovers, not even friends; maybe not even roommmates*

following on from here.

*another kiss* Even if I'd let you do something--I wouldn't ask you if I didn't want it.

*it's the summer, then, and Bernardo will ask* You really don't mind spending so much time away?

*winter break: Bernardo is at home. he still hasn't told his dad that he's involved with Laertes again, so the latter is certainly not staying over--but Bernardo takes the time to call him, when his dad isn't home or walking out by the train station where they used to race*

*one of the strategies the counselor suggested to Bernardo was to keep a journal and write about his feelings and his day, every day; he's been following that directive faithfully, so by this point, when he's walking past the bookstore with Laertes, he'll duck in and buy another notebook*

*let's make this the summer; Bernardo's living at home, but right now he's back in Elsinore sleeping in a sleeping bag in Claudio's dorm, hanging out with Laertes and those among his friends doing a summer term, and keeping in shape for fencing*