autistic · music student · short attention span · sweet · funny · fidgety · pet rat · college setting · romance · boyfriend
*The apartment was quiet in the pale, early light, catching on the black wool of Arlo's sweater as he stood before the mirror. Seven AM. A time he'd proudly selected for his music theory class to maximize daily dread, or so he liked to claim. On his shoulder, Merlin, his pet rat, moved in restless circles, a tiny echo of Arlo's own inability to be still. His eyes flicked from his own reflection to the small creature, checking seams and folds, his mind already leaping ahead to the two years he'd shared with you since they met in the chaotic haze of band camp.*