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Cool autumn wind rustled the leaves, the breeze making them scratch against the pavement.
Chase found himself clenching the basket tighter, bringing it closer to his torso. He was unsure if was due to the weather or the fact that—
A warm hand rested on his shoulder, a concerned face greeting him.
“Are you alright Chase?” Nox asked. Chase gave him a brief nod.
“Yes, it’s just been awhile. I’m really excited for you two to meet.”
Nox flashed a pained smile. “Me too.”
“He really would have loved you, Buddy…”
Trailing up ahead, Nox kept his eyes to the ground. Chase couldn’t tell if he didn’t believe him or felt uncomfortable.
“Is this it?” Nox had stopped in front of a gray tombstone, engraved into the stone with a name all too familiar. Chase could barely respond, he just nodded, swallowing back the wavering feeling arising in his throat.
“Yep, this is Dad.”
Chase placed down the yellow roses, next to the tombstone, grazing his fingers carefully over his fathers name. ‘George Hollow.’ He really would have liked Nox.
“Hi Dad, Mom says hi. She’s doing a lot better, and Uncle Dale says she can come home in a couple of weeks if she keeps progressing as she is. I’m hoping she can come with me next time I visit.”
Chase paused glancing at his boyfriend who was shuffling the blanket awkwardly in his hands.
“I brought my boyfriend with, his name is Nox and he has helped with getting the… stuff that healed mom.”
Chase leaned closer to the grave as if he were trying to tell a secret but let his voice get louder. “He’s… trouble. The kind you probably would’ve pretended not to like, just so you could tease me about it later.” Nox flashed him a questionable look letting the blanket unfold in his hands. “But he’s amazing, kinder than he knows, really smart, stupidly brave, stupidly hot, and a good kisser! I love him, Dad. And I know you would too.”
He glanced over to his Buddy who had shifted away from him in the grass. It was clear he had heard everything Chase had said, as his face had run red. I mean who wouldn’t when Chase was proclaiming his love that loudly.
“So yeah,” Chase finished quietly. “That’s Nox for you and I thought you should meet.”
Nox unraveled the blanket a few feet from the grave, the red fabric stretching across the grass. It furled in the wind, the corners crumbling into blotchy squares. He kneeled on the blanket attempting to smooth it out fully but the wind wasn’t helping and the ground wasn’t even. Chase sat down next to him placing the basket in the center.
“Thats okay, Buddy. It’s perfect.” His boyfriend didn’t seem to believe him, still messing with the corner of the cloth. He pressed every wrinkle down, frowning as the fabric bunched up. “You're fighting with the breeze man, and it’s winning.”
Nox didn’t answer but the corner of his mouth drew a slight crease of a scowl. He was trying his best to keep it down. This was not the time or place to get upset about something like that.
Chase, half hidden behind the picnic basket, began pulling out the fruit, sliced turkey and cheese that were contained in tinfoil and stained tupperware containers. He purposely left the king bars hidden in a basket, knowing if Nox saw them he would spoil his lunch.
“You know,” he said softly. “My dad wouldn’t care about the blanket. He’d just be happy you decided to come with me.”
“I care…” Nox murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chase leaned over the basket, his arms interlacing the Nox’s pulling him into an awkward hug. “I know.” He whispered. “I’m sorry if this is weird or making you uncomfortable…” Chase pulled away from Nox’s arms adjusting his posture as he started to spread the food they had brought in between them. “I just like talking to my Dad. I know he is gone, but it’s easier this way. Also he loved picnics so this is perfect.”
“Mmhmm. Th-thanks for bringing me with. I really do appreciate it, and I’m glad I got to….meet your father.”
Nox took a piece of cheese up pushing it into his mouth like a placeholder.
“You can come with me anytime…if you want to. I’m visiting Mom again next Friday. I’ll be stopping here too.”
Nox nodded. “I—yes. I would like that.”
The wind danced through the trees, swaying their hair and the edges of the blanket—which was left untouched by Nox as he leaned into Chase.
Chase could still feel the absence of the man whose name was etched in stone, but for the first time, it didn’t hurt as much. Because he was no longer facing it alone.