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As the seasons had gone by, another year was soon to end. Remainders of autumn’s leaves lingering on the tall, statured trees briskly covered by winter’s snow. It’d simply become obvious. It’d simply meant another fall was facing its conclusion. So simple, yet such a beautiful concept.
Where did the time go?
Moments, only seconds ago fading into quaint memories. Days, weeks, months have passed, only to have a gnawing feeling, as if such beautiful significance occurred in the passing minute.
How long has it been?
So, so many conceptions flooding inside. The notions of relationships and bonds; So simple , such beautiful musings. Where did the time go…? How long has it been?
As the sun began to rise, seeping through the windows alongside the tightened curtains, bleeding patterns of heat began dripping to the bed and floors, signaling Earth the moonlight was no more. The bed faintly creaked beside the so-called, ‘Gravekeeper,’ accompanied with another’s chin, slowly placing itself to laze on his shoulder. Gentle pecks printed onto his neck. “Andy~ Are you awake…?”
He’d had a feeling his lover was smiling against his nape, but the idea just afloat as a lingering thought. Feeling the arms from behind wrap themselves around his waist, he’d let out a sigh. Despite Norton’s loving actions, today he didn’t exactly feel like waking up. Hell, he called in sick today! Might as well sleep in and—
Wait.
Why did Andrew call-in sick today, anyways?
He never does that.
“Andy… You know what day it is…”
Tender forearms roll him over to face the other, given with a ‘good morning’ kiss as rough hands clasp his cheeks. Lips brushing along his eyes, he felt a vague breath as his partner lightly laughed. What was found amusing today? Continuing to act as if he were still unconscious, Norton’s breath reached his ear.
Finally finding his love, whispering sweet nothings and praise, Andrew’s face began to flush into a light, peachy-pink. He was definitely caught in the act now. Additionally, faint giggles followed from the other. Fluttering his eyes slowly as an opening to notice the scar-burnt man, he was abetted with a sweet smile; a smile so loving and filled with affection, anyone would awe at such a face.
He smiled, too.
“Good morning, ‘hun.”
“Mn… Morning. It’s Wednesday, Norton...”
“Yes, yes… But, specifically?”
“Hn…”
Norton mused, “Today is a very special day.”
Ah.
How the absolute hell could he forget such a thing?
He quickly shot his arms up, surrounding them around Norton’s neck. Blush began spreading, head to toe, as emotions began to mix. Honestly? It hurt himself, thinking he had done such a thing. How idiotic was Andrew? First he finds himself forgetting such an important memory, now he’s unprepared? How ridiculous…
“I-it’s already been that long?! I’m so, so sorry, I-I wasn’t prepa— Mmn…!?”
Norton cupped his boyfriend's cheeks, briskly pulling Andrew into a kiss more intimate than the last. “Hey… It’s alright. We have a whole day ahead of us so… Don’t worry ‘bout it so much, alright?” He brushed his lips against the other’s once more, maneuvering his lover onto his lap. “Just wait and see.”
Norton bestowed yet another smile, different from moments ago; a charming one in fact.
Eyes began to shut again, feeling their lid's weight beginning to plunge, slowly. Drowsiness regained itself, and the gravekeeper dozed off into slumber anew. It was for his own good, considering how late the two had stayed awake the previous night for… Reasons … Sleep was very deserved in Andrew’s case.
Reflecting off Norton’s wordings and tone before he found himself knocked unconscious, he thought to himself and pondered.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
Today really would be something special.
————
Already 7:05am…
The alarm rang, habitually notifying his lover every morning it was time to leave the house for work. Today, it wasn’t exactly needed though; at least it had woken Andrew up. He found himself sleeping in for about an hour more. Seemed to be good enough for him.
Sleepily tossing himself aside towards Norton, he— Wait, where the hell did he go…? As the skittish man moved to his boyfriend’s side of the bed, the faint sound of paper below his pillow was heard. Lifting it to reveal what was hidden, a green note awaited him, greeted with Norton’s unique, cursive-like writing. How beautiful it was to Andrew’s eyes.
Lazily sprawling across the mattress to reach his glasses from the bedside table, his eyelids squinted slightly, assisting poor eyesight. Even with the glasses, it still couldn’t be fixed. He finally read.
“Good morning, my love!
I knew you would lie here at some point :) I hope you slept alright and your dream was good. Happy 1-year Anniversary, Andy.
Follow the red string that led me to you.”
Modest, sparks of joy arose from Andrew’s heart. He pivoted his head to the floorboards and acknowledged the single, red trail string along the wooden tiles. In the beginning, or end, of the twine was a small cardboard box wrapped with a purple ribbon. Picking himself up from the cushioned bed, he slipped his slippers onto his feet and crouched down to the box. The man gingerly untied the ribbon, revealing the box’s surprise.
Inside laid an old, sheep-like charm Andrew had given to Norton over a year ago.
…
…He really kept it?
A year ago...
Ring… Ring… Ring…
Letting out a yawn and clearing his groggy voice, Andrew tenuously stretched his arm across the bed frame and reached for his phone beside him.
“H-hello…? Eli…?
“Andrew! Glad you picked up!~ Apologies for the early call… May I ask you a favor?”
“…It’s 4AM.”
“Mhm… Just this once though? I swear I will make it up to you.” He had the gut feeling on the other side of the phone, Eli was expressing the innocent look that tended to just, somehow win everyone over.
Not feeling as though there was another option, considering this was Eli and well, Andrew just craved sleep, he’d given in. It wasn’t like he had much to do in the day anyways due to his shift and work hours. “A-alright…”
“Great! Thank you love, meet me at the café at seven. See you in a bit.~”
Call ended.
Not exactly comprehending what had just happened, Andrew fell back to sleep to pass time. Seriously, what exactly was that about? And why was Eli even awake…
————
It’s been about fifteen minutes, and Eli still hasn’t arrived. Even if he is fashionably late, it wasn’t like that, so-called seer to be this late. There was a single person Andrew recognized since it wasn’t like he wanted to go through the trouble and disturb Edgar at work. Across the room, sat… What was his name? Nor… Non… Aesop called him Nonon, right? Well, he really didn’t want to approach him either. Did Andrew like him? Not at all. More so, he found him annoying to deal with being so preserved yet, a bit obnoxious and extroverted with others.
Another minute passes.
And another.
Then another three.
He thought to himself, pondering his options. Really, he could leave and tell Eli he couldn’t make it, or he was at Victor’s taking care of Wick while he was away, but no. He wouldn’t insist because, to put it simply, he would feel bad for Eli. Christ, Kreiss…! Looks like you have no other option than to talk to Nonon…! Great…
Sat at the farthest, corner table of the café, he found himself to be considerably out of the pierced man’s viewing range. Contemplating the information at hand, he brought himself up to confront the man.
He brought himself up to confront the man…
He brought himself up to—
Nope. He still couldn’t do it. Hell, even getting up from his seat seemed too troublesome. Somehow, in some way, it had felt much more difficult than trying to avoid Luca’s rants about equations. Subsequently, panic began to erupt in an instant. Promptly noticing the pierced frame covered in scars lift himself from his chair, he grabbed what seemed to be a notebook and sauntered himself towards Andrew.
…Well, shi—
In a monotone manner, his voided dirt-colored eyes sank its view into Andrew’s ruby-colored ones, leaning his weight against the chair across from his. “Uh, ‘scuse me, you’re Kreiss, right?” He kicked his right leg behind his left, placing the book onto the countertop.
“…Y-yes.”
“Have ya’ seen Eli anywhere.”
“…N-no.”
“Alright, thanks.”
Clasping his hand back to his book, he took his leave and strutted towards the entrance door. The pale man found himself stunned, confused from… Whatever that was. He questioned himself, What the hell even was that? Obviously, that guy was here for a reason.
The albino got up from his chair briskly and speed-walk to the mysterious man. “H-hey Nonon…!” Catching up to the other before touching the handle of the door, he tugged the back of his shirt like a rabbit, gently nipping at one’s sleeve. “You… Had something more to say. It’s not like we talk or even have talked before. So maybe—”
“Okay.”
————
‘Nonon’ leaned his head against his arm, expressing himself with an exaggerated sigh. “I just saw you waiting here for a while, so I thought I should ask if you were lookin’ for Eli, too.” He paused himself for a brief moment, staring bullets back at Andrew. “Looks like I’ve wasted my time, need a ride?”
“Oh no, it’s okay you really don’t have to trouble yourself, I could just take the bus back home or walk.” He really did feel terrible, this just was not Andrew’s day today. Hell, he knew for a fact Nonon didn’t like him at all. After avoiding each other for months in past situations and coincidences, it became blatantly obvious to the both of them. Annoyance emulated from the two, clearly they were never meant to be close.
“No.”
“…No?”
“No.”
Such a confusing atmosphere…
What’s wrong with him? He pondered. Overflowed with uncertainty, now it was his turn to sigh. He didn’t think the walk was too far… Only about, three-miles back, Andrew didn’t mind the scenery at home.
The scar-covered man raised his hand in front of the white-haired one bluntly to shake his hand. “By the way, it’s Norton, Norton Campbell. Not ’N-Nonon.’ Aesop isn’t the best with names.”
“Ah… A-apologies. I’m Andrew Kreiss.” He connected palms with Norton. At the time, he didn’t think much of what’s to come in the future. Only thoughts lingering in his mind were being acquainted, never friendship, never trust, never affection. Only mutuals.
“You’re good. Want coffee or somethin’ before we go?”
“No, thank you.”
“Ya’ sure?”
“I don’t… Exactly have the money.”
Awkward.
Very, very awkward.
An almost uncomfortable silence surrounded the both of them; moments felt like hours, only to realize the seconds were as if time slowed down. Norton abruptly got up from his chair, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What do you usually order? You can pay me back later if you wanna.”
“A mocha is fine.”
And so, they decided to get to know each other. Even if it was only small talk, at least the painful atmosphere didn’t stench the room.
————
“Thank you for driving me,” the older man folded his hands into a prayer’s notion. He’d felt terrible for doing nothing in return or even, not paying Norton back and having his wallet on him.
“It was nice talking to you for real this time around.” The pierced man smiled a bit. It was most likely just a simple smirk, but it felt odd to see. Andrew never had seen him smile or laugh, but it wasn’t like they had associated much in the past.
Andrew awkwardly smiled in return. Suddenly taking out his flip phone, he removed one of the many charms attached to its corner. Grabbing the other’s hand and opening his fist, he placed it into his palm. “I hope this counts as pay. It’s all I have right now.”
Surprising, really.
A small, forgettable gift with little use; just from the simple thought, he was welcomed with the feeling of his heart fluttering. What a beautiful feeling love was. He carefully placed the sheep charm into both of his palms, bringing them together as leverage. Lifting his knees from the floor and greeted with the board’s almost silent creeks, he continued to follow the red string. It really did make him feel like a child on Christmas morning— Well at least, how the others had described a child on Christmas morning to behave.
The vivid, red twines traced along the tiles lead from room to room, each complimented with drawn signs hung on walls or spread beside the yarn path. Discreet, he continued to pursue the trail, wary of the charm and holding it inside his cupped hands.
Skipping down the stairs as light footsteps and taps echoed from behind, the thread chase continued. Until it didn’t. Promptly, it’d been cut in front of the sliding door into their backyard garden. No sign of Norton, or… No signs at all, really. The white-haired man leisurely slid its entrance open, greeted with a row of flowers and candles lined up, forming its own walkway. At the end of the aisle was his lover below the towering blue jacaranda tree. The scarred man was dressed in an unbuttoned black suit and white, ruffled shirt on the inside, touched with a large gem connecting his collar. It seemed he wasn’t wearing a hat or even, extra accessories this time around.
As nature's beauty surrounded the atmosphere, the sunlight glistened, shining below the two like a stageplay’s spotlights following one another. Andrew’s pace speed-up, eventually running and leaning into his boyfriend's warmth.
Norton cupped his cheeks lovingly as he did before and gently pushed his boyfriend’s hair away from his covered eye, kissing the unseen eye full of pure and utter bliss. “I love you so, so much. It’s something I can’t express into words but, I hope today can represent how I feel.” Andrew leaned into his touch as his lover imprinted generous amounts of pecks along his face.
The gravekeeper’s emotions began to mellow as the prospector continued showering him with kisses. “I… Love you too…”
“Wait, hold up.” Norton shoved his hand into his pocket, abruptly pulling out a small box. “I-I know it isn’t much but…” He opened the box revealing two rings. Each with about an eight-millimeter carat, one accompanied a sapphire, and the other, a ruby.
Droplets began to sparkle from the pair’s eyes, but both couldn’t stop smiling from the sight of another. Andrew smiled sweetly, letting out small giggles. “Y-You’re ridiculous, you know that Norton?”
“I know.”
As the couple put each other’s rings onto their fingers, now it was Andrew’s turn to shower Norton with kisses. “I can’t believe it’s really been a year. Who knew time could pass by so quickly…” He paused for a moment. “Happy one-year anniversary, Norton. Thank you…” Leaning his weight into the other’s lips, eyelashes fluttered and bodies flushed. After sudden minutes that felt only seconds, the younger man lifted his boyfriend from the ground, carrying him in a bridal style.
“Wh—?!”
“The day hasn’t even started yet, Andy!”