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It was that rainy afternoon when the famous novelist in that small town rushed from house to house, visiting his neighbors and also giving his faithful readers small gifts before he left, some of them even gave him a bunch of food back for him to enjoy on his journey. Orpheus told them that he'll only be gone for 7 months, but the town will surely miss their beloved novelist.
Orpheus waved goodbye to the family across the street, he can finally take his time and buy some warming meal for him and a certain friend of his. He visited a small shop that he always goes to, ordering two warm apple pies, a warm cup of tea and a cup of coffee. The shop owner told him that since he's going away for a while, its on the house.
Orpheus joked about them putting it in his tab when he returns, in which they replied that they might change their mind about giving it for free if he said so.
Orpheus thanked them properly and said his farewell to the shop owner before heading towards his friend's shop, which is across from his house.
The pitter patter of the rain didn't stop Norton from hearing the sound of footsteps inside his shop, the wind chime tinkled softly as the wind blew into the warm magic items shop.
"Orpheus? Is that you?" Norton asked from the storage room, he hurriedly set down his boxes and rushed outside to see a familiar brown haired man with his shiny monocle that never left his face.
"Surprise, surprise! I bought you something. Well, kinda..the shopkeeper gave it to us for free, heh"
Orpheus set the food down on the reception table in front of him, grabbing a nearby chair to sit on it. He was greeted by Norton's scowled expression though, raising his eyebrows "what's up with you now?"
Norton crossed his arms and sat across the table in front of him "how.. dare you, the first thing you should do when waking up in the morning is to greet me first! I can't believe you skipped me just like that" He snatched his tea from orpheus' hand, in which the novelist replied to him with a grin.
"what? Don't be like that, I'm saving you for the last because you're special to me, I swear!"
Orpheus smiled sweetly at the shop keeper, fortunately his smile returned with another grin from norton. Both chuckled as they enjoyed their lunch together, the sound of rain always calms orpheus' nerves, and being with someone familiar also puts him at ease. He had to admit that building up the courage to speak to people today almost drained him, so having Norton's company, the sound of the rain, the warm pie and coffee, the cozy atmosphere of the shop, gave him a peace of mind that he needed for tomorrow's departure.
"So...a job huh...look at you go, your books has gotten so far. How are you feeling Mr popular novelist?" Norton nudges him with his fork.
orpheus only smiles timidly "it's nothing much. But, i hope I'll be an actual popular writer one day. Let's see if this opportunity will become my turning point." Orpheus played with his piece of pie as he spoke, and took a bite on it when he's done talking. The man in front of him smiled proudly at him, nodding his head in agreement.
"Oh, i uh actually got something for you but, i haven't found it yet so... it'll be appreciated if you could visit me next morning?"
Norton leaned back to his chair and took a sip of his tea.
Orpheus tilted his head as he sucked on the melting pie inside his mouth "why of course! That was my plan as well after all, I want you to drive me to the pier, please?" Orpheus grinned at him, Norton rolled his eyes, but he nodded approvingly. Satisfied, Orpheus went and finished his own food, he set his attention to nothing, gazing at the corner with nothing in mind.
"Hey, Orpheus.. ?"
Norton started, the novelist turned his attention to him, wiping off the crumbs from his face with a napkin from his pocket. They both gazed at each other for a while, Norton looks like he's lost in thoughts but then he grabbed Orpheus hand, feeling the novelist hesitantly squeezing his back.
"There's something I've been meaning to say before you go- and i don't think i could wait 7 more months for that...uh...
Good lord i'm so bad at this-"
The shopkeeper took a deep breath, holding both of orpheus' hands.
"I'm in love with you."
That night both of them laid on the same bed for the first time, and probably the last. Orpheus still hasn't been able to answer his confession from this afternoon, so Norton barely got anything to say. Yet orpheus kept bringing up any topics to talk about, trying to keep the situation less awkward. But after a while, it dies down and all that is left is two men, laying on the same bed side by side as the moon shines over them.
Both kept their silence, listening to the soft noise of the crickets from outside. Norton felt himself nodding off, it's almost as if his body was screaming to shut down after that confusing confession he did earlier, he wished he never had said it, he wished that—
"Norton."
Orpheus started, hand slowly moving around to find Norton's hand, and when he did, he rested his against him. "say that to me again." Orpheus said, staring at the ceiling without moving
"Which one?" Norton replied, searching for whatever orpheus is staring at on the ceiling.
"What you confessed to me this afternoon."
Norton kept quiet for a while, then finally chuckled in embarrassment as he gripped the bed sheets beneath him.
"I'm in love with you, Orpheus."
There was another silence, a long pause. Norton wished that he's already dreaming right now, the embarrassment he went through today won't let him recover for years.
Norton bit his lip and started,
"I hope this doesn't change our relationshi-"
"I'm in love with you as well."
A pause, then a confused mumble of "what" comes out of Norton.
"I repeat..."
Orpheus rose up and turned his body towards him.
"...I am in love with you as well, Norton campbell."
Norton's icy deep blue eyes stared into Orpheus' indigo orbs, both stayed like that for a while, letting the confession sink in.
Orpheus felt norton gripping his hand tightly, he watched norton place his hand onto his chest. Where Orpheus could clearly feel his warm chest and fastening heart beat, Norton's gaze is soft towards him, he doesn't bear any ill will, just a tender, loving gaze.
"I want you to kiss me then."
Norton braved himself to confess more of his heart's desire, Orpheus on the other hand, smiled fondly at the male beneath him. Norton watches orpheus' face get closer and closer to his, Norton tucked a piece of hair back behind his ear. Both felt their warm breath on their faces, The shopkeeper closed his eyes as he leaned forward for his lips to meet the novelist's soft pair of lips. Orpheus slowly climbed on him and kissed him deeper, cupping and caressing Norton's face with such tender and gentle touch, Norton felt himself melt into the loving kiss that he shared between him and his friend- no, his Lover.
A moment has passed, although it felt like they just started kissing, both of them couldn't get enough of embracing each other. Although there's still so many untold feelings that they aren't able to confess through words or actions in just one night, both of them decided to rest for the night.
Norton wrapped his arms around orpheus' waist, pulling him closer and let him rest his head against his chest.
"Do you really have to leave?"
Although his eyes are closed, Norton has yet to fall asleep. Orpheus, on the other hand, starts to drift off by the comfort of Norton's warm embrace.
"Norton, you've asked this question since last month... I'll come home as soon as i can, after all...i got you waiting for me." He felt his own cheeks blushed deeply after saying those words, somehow it holds a new meaning.
"If you said so..." Norton kissed his forehead, satisfied with his answer.
He pulled the blanket over their bodies making sure that both of them were covered.
He glanced at Orpheus again who's already fallen asleep, he looked so peaceful like this. Norton laid back his head and fell into deep slumber.
"orph...eus.."
Homesick turned his head by surprise when he heard soulcatcher mumble a familiar name in his sleep, the curious ghost gently brushed his finger on the reaper's face, making sure if he's asleep or talking to him.
Soul catcher showed no further reaction aside from stirring in his rest, homesick retracted his hand, turning his attention back to the sky where stars gently glimmered alongside with the moon.
"orpheus..."
Homesick repeated the name, it felt strange when he mentioned it. It felt familiar, he associates familiar feelings with his home, could it be it might be from where he came from?
He would have to ask soulcatcher when he woke up later.
As for homesick, he shall go back to ponder where his home might be