There was a newfound spring in Schubert’s step. His shoulders rolled back, drifting in and out of Otawakan as he pleased. Hell, he even found friends outside--friends who actually cared how he felt. No, they would not understand his pain as he understood it, but at least they were sympathetic. He had a piano pushed up into his new room, and with that came nights of music coming from his room, flowing wine, and laughter.
And granted, the others who lived there wanted to see what was going on. Not that Schubert would let them in. Not even Beethoven Senpai. Or, really, he was just calling him Beethes. No honorific. No Herr. Why should he show respect to a man who didn’t even see him?
You’d think the man went blind, not deaf, not seeing the man under his nose.
The last of his guests had left, as had the cheap wine in his system, and he was quietly corking the open bottles, humming to himself. Yes, how nice it was to be with people who cared. And a soft rapping was at his door. If it was Kanae complaining about the noise, she would have been louder. Perhaps one of his friends needed him to call a cab? Or--
“Beethes?” A slight surprised twitch of the eyebrow, once he opened up. “No, you’re still not invited. Schubertiade is over anyway, get out.” He’s trying not to break the wine glass in his hand. “Shoo.”