The trip back into the city was contentious, at best. Eivind refused to downgrade to more affordable accommodations until Sig was back with them, and although Blue shared in his mate's desire to see his best friend safe and intact, fears about Eivind's dwindling bank account weighed on his mind heavily. The wolf had spent almost his entire savings just on Blue, and although he had been able to quietly accept it before, he found himself no longer able to tolerate his feelings of guilt and fears of financial uncertainty, especially without the promise of a home to come back to. Each time Eivind brought up the idea of selling the cabin, Blue refused to listen, arguing that it was<i>theirs</i>and no one, especially Lofgren, should be able to scare them away from it. Blue was exhausted from running. Exhausted from the fear and anxiety. His nerves were only mildly soothed the next morning when Sig climbed into bed with them, slipping in on Blue's side and sandwiching the human between the two wolves. Neither Blue nor Eivind seemed to mind much, simply enjoying the relief they felt at seeing their friend once more. When Blue asked what had become of Stellan, Sig only said that he had dropped him off at the hotel before heading back to his own pack in an attempt to keep Lofgren at bay. Whether Sig was saddened by the big wolf's departure, Blue couldn't tell, and the little wolf fell asleep soon after.<br/><br/>Once they had relocated to a cheaper and grungier establishment, Blue didn't have much to do other than practice his drawing and finish getting his school issues sorted out. The days were creeping by, the semester approaching. Arguing for his reinstatement and the purging of the incompletes he had received for his last semester was easier than he had anticipated. Not only did Eivind step forward to help him explain his situation, Blue had kept in contact with his mother, who also joined in on the effort to contact the university and explain Blue's impromptu departure had not been his decision. Medical records and police reports, all prepped and ready to be presented in the event Blue would need to vehemently argue his case were glanced over with an empathetic eye. Though Blue would be required to repeat the classes he had started the previous academic term, there would be no issues and his GPA would not be affected. A weight was lifted from the young man's shoulders at the news, and Eivind helped Blue restock on his art supplies to prep for his classes in the coming days.<br/><br/>Their nights were filled with loud noises and bumps against all walls; not the quiet, private experience they had indulged in at the previous hotel. Although Blue quietly avoided the chorus of prostitutes in the parking lots and the shady dealings going down in the rooms on either side of their own, he kept his tongue still and his lips tightly pursed, refusing to complain. Downgrading would benefit them in the long run, allowing them to stay away from the pack longer if needed. News that Lofgren had been sniffing around despite Stellan's efforts to distract him were met with solemn looks. Blue knew Eivind wouldn't be taking him home anytime soon.<br/><br/>The first day of school was a welcome distraction, though the sullen attitude Blue had taken on since having to evacuate the cabin had done nothing to improve their stay in town. Blue gave his lover a quiet goodbye and the gentlest of kisses as he exited Eivind's truck, clutching his sketchbook to his chest as a backpack was slung over his shoulder. It felt surreal being on campus again after his life had changed so drastically. He knew he wasn't the same person he had been the last time his feet had graced the halls of the university's fine arts building, but even that didn't seem to matter much to him now with the thought of Lofgren looming like a virulent shadow in the back of his mind. Even seeing some of his old classmates again hardly kept his mind off of the beast, though the students peppered him with questions about what had happened to him and where he had gone. Blue shared the modified story of how he had met his boyfriend, tired of all the lies they had tried to concoct before. Sticking as close to the truth as he could without revealing what Eivind truly was at least gave Blue a modicum of comfort. Talking about his lover seemed to be the only thing that made him happy.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center">x - x - x - x - x<br/>​</div>Louis wasn't surprised to see Eivind's old truck pull up into his driveway. Since his wife had returned from dinner at his place, sharing her observations about their son and the man he was shacking up with, Louis had been anticipating a visit. Katherine had been tentative, but hopeful, mentioning how healthy and happy Blue looked, how Eivind seemed to be encouraging him in all the right ways. She even showed him the website Blue had shared, and despite Blue's newfound profession being in its infancy, Louis couldn't help being somewhat impressed. "I didn't think he had it in him," he had said as he stared at the computer screen, admiring the various canvases Blue had already put up for sale. Images of the painted banister in all its glory glowed bright on the screen. "He's good."<br/><br/>The older male pulled off his gardening gloves and stood, shaking the dirt from his old jeans and waiting as Eivind made his way up. Louis expected for Eivind to have Blue close by--Katherine had mentioned that the two were practically inseparable during their meal--but it seemed Eivind had come alone. Louis nodded when the other man confirmed as much, mentioning that Blue was at school.<br/><br/>"His mother told me he had gotten back in. Good, good," Louis said stiffly, reluctantly to outwardly express how satisfied he was to know Blue was being productive again.<br/><br/>"What can I do for you, Eivind?" Louis asked, his thick French accent leaving every syllable round and full on his tongue. "You came to speak to me, no? You're welcome to come inside if this is going to be a long conversation. I was just about to head in and get some water. Come." Louis waved his son's lover forward, heading up the front steps to the unlocked door. The girls were at school and Katherine was out for the day, leaving the two males alone.<br/><br/>"Sit. Anywhere. Tell me what it is you wish to tell me."