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The wind was picking up, leaving the brunett huddled closer to the tree he sat against, leaves drifting frantically at the ground. Perhaps it wasn't such a good day for Karl to meet with George at their usual spot beyond tall, iron gates, surrounded with floral life. Quite ironic. It hadn't always been their usual place- George had always been the one to want to stay close to home. Especially in bad weather. A nice cuddle session on the couch while something played on the television was a favorite of his, but of course wherever Karl went was 'home' enough for him.
For the past month, though, the two had been meeting up right where Karl sat right then, scanning over the stones that marked the ground. Karl had made a promise to visit at least once every week; not even an upcoming storm would stop him at that point, nor George's words to stay warm and dry at home. Because his home, too, was wherever George would go.
"Karl?"
The man turned his head, spotting just who he was looking for calling back to him. He gave a bright smile though he thought it was nothing to the beaming expression George had, walking closer as he himself went to get up. The dirt and grass was hastily dusted off of his pants, sight never leaving the other man. He looked angelic, with his white top and tan pants. A definite contrast from Karl's blue sweater he wore specifically for George, and black jeans. But the two outfits managed to clash together so perfectly, quite literally.
The moment George opened his arms when close enough, Karl practically hurled himself at him, his own arms going to tightly wrap around the other. His head was tilted against George's before falling to the crook of his neck, hands faintly rubbing the areas they were placed at.
"I've missed you so much George," he murmured in a near whisper, the other going to lower his arms. They didn't part however, a pair of hands connecting with intertwined fingers.
"It's only been a week," the dark brunett lightheartedly scoffed, met with a smile that didn't quite meet the other's eye. That was when he noted the first few drops of water falling onto Karl's face, looking up to see rain startling to fall. Nothing big though, a light sprinkle as Karl's expression changed to something more lively.
"Care for a dance?" the taller asked. "We always loved to dance in the rain!"
"Correction- you loved to dance in the rain. I just so happened to love you enough to go along with it."
Karl mischievously smiled, his temporarily unoccupied hand finding its way to George's waist while tilting his head close to the other's to the point that their foreheads touched. "Is that so?"
George never really blushed all that much, reserved for specific reactions. Maybe the mix of his own indirect way of saying ' I love you ' and the two's close proximity were enough to blame for the tint now spread against pale cheeks. Either way, he did his best to- not ignore it, but embrace it, eyes fixated on a gray ocean gazing right back at him as he gave a small nod. "Yeah.. but I guess I was always glad that I did afterwards. Just a little."
The sound of bubbling laughter came from Karl, pulling away only a few inches so that they could keep their proximity while they proceeded to move. Their linked hands extended out, George's second hand going to rest on the other's shoulder. Legs shifting and motioning about as the two danced and swayed, spinning each other as the rain fell more frequently. The rain may have been falling hard, but Karl could feel himself falling harder with the sound of giggles and comments that George made. And even in the gloom of the heavy rain that soaked blue fabric, George still seemed to glow. It all seemed so familiar.
"Watch out!" the Brit exclaimed, breaking into more laughter after Karl accidentally stepped into a puddle. "Nice, now you're definitely going to catch a cold, idiot," he smiled out with an eye roll, proving no true malice to his words.
Karl groaned, giving a sheepish, lopsided smile of his own, "My shoes are soaked.. along with the rest of me. How about we get in the car?"
After a nod of agreement, both rushed their way over to the vehicle parked just along the path curbing. In less than a minute, they were opening and closing doors, warmth flooding Karl as they were now shielded. He looked over to George, hardly affected at all by the rain, making something in his stomach twist. The Brit only gazed back at him, a soft, gentle smile gracing his expression.
"Thank you for visiting me, Karl."
"Of course angel; I always will."
Despite the smile, a saddened look was placed on George's face, giving it a moment of silence before slowly leaning in. Karl met him halfway, their lips pressing against each other for a sweetened kiss. It was feather light, yet still so strong, ringed hands cupping the dark brunett's face while the second pair weakly held on to the other's wrists. Oh how difficult it was to not melt right into a puddle on the cloud Karl mentally sent him to with such a simple yet oh so meaningful kiss. Even now.
It was perfect, it was everything. It was George , and that fact was crashing against Karl like tidal waves.
George noted the drops of water once again cascading down heated cheeks, though this time, they weren't raindrops. He carefully pulled himself back into the seat, eyes blinking open to see Karl remaining right where he was. His eyes were still closed, slightly trembling from the cold and his rocketing emotions. George only waited it out, understanding and patient.
" Let's go home, George ."
It was barely above a whisper, broken, and a plea more than anything else.
" You have to go back home now. Back to your home, Karl."
"It's too empty without you George," Karl full out begged, eyes now opened and glazed over with building tears, "Please. Please ; I need you."
George knew that soon he would need to help Karl officially let go. Let him go. It has been a couple of months now. But the poor man was still grieving, and he figured just a little more time would be alright.
"It's raining a lot at the moment; the roads could be dangerous.. How about we both stay here? Just until the rain stops?"
Karl could only agree, hiccups escaping as he continued to cry. George reached out one of his hands, the other seeing and accepting it instantly as he then wrapped both his hands around the one. He held it near his chest for an amount of time he didn't even know. Meanwhile tear streaks started to dry on faintly freckled cheeks, the man now in a state of slumber.
All too soon the rain had stopped falling, the moon officially set high in the sky before accompanied by the sun. The evening showers were over, Karl shifting in the driver's seat as he eventually woke to an empty car besides himself. Of course it made his heart sink, wanting nothing more than to be waking up in a bed he shared with his love who would be curled into his side, refusing to wake himself for another while. He wanted that more than anything.
But after a moment of sitting there, he picked up the dandelion he had previously sat on the dashboard and exited the vehicle, stretching as he went to walk through the wide field marked with stones. He was looking for a certain one, walking right up to it beside the tree he previously sat against the evening prior. He sat beside it once more, studying it like he had dozens of times before.
"Thank you, George," he quietly spoke out, "I love you so much. You'll always have a piece of me. Rest well my lovely."
The dandelion was laid on top of George's name etched into the marble gravestone, Karl gazing down towards it in a bittersweet haze.
"I gotta go now, alright?" he spoke, feeling his voice slightly waver as he attempted to hold his rising emotions back, "Bye, I love you."
Every trudged step back to the awaited vehicle was a blow to the internal dam holding back the flooding emotions be had. The moment the car door shut, engine started for the ride back to his house, Karl felt that dam crumble down, a waterfall of tears glistening down his face. He wiped them, shifting the gear to 'D' before driving in the direction of the tall, iron gates of the cemetery.
He passed them, heading down the road he's seen before. The trip was over, a glimpse of a familiar face catching his attention. Karl quickly glanced in his side mirror, trying to find George, but it wasn't real. Just a trick of his mind knowing that the man wouldn't make it any more difficult for him by following him back to the house. The feeling of his love's lips were still present on his own. He couldn't recall the last time they had kissed in a way it nearly felt like he was back with him- if there even was any other time.
Maybe it was a sign, one Karl was very reluctant to admit. But time would heal, eventually, and he knew George would be nothing less than glad to see that.