He Changes The Weather

Dropping the Bomb

After a grueling half an hour of walking with a heavy load slumped on his shoulder, not to mention heavy and very warm on his embrace. Gregory decided that being a good person sucks. He should have just dumped him on the sidewalks and moves on with his life. And the three flight stairs walk? Now that’s exercise right there for the whole week. Thank God, he doesn’t have any classes today, or he would have just dumped the man in the foyer and left.

He put the man on the couch and taking off his shoes. The shoes are shiny and made of Italian leather with tassels and everything.. No way, he is a criminal if he has such nice shoes. Ian is still on his room it seems after taking a night shift; he will be out cold for the rest of the afternoon. Could he just leave the man in his living room unattended? . Seeing the shabby couch and crappy telly he has, surely the man will not risk anything over cheap things like that.

Gregory decided to proceed with his plan. Take a shower and then checking out the fridge to see if there is anything edible. The man heavy breathing indicates that he won’t be awake for anytime soon.

The flat he rent with Ian is cramped and the temperature in winter is just cruel. But the rent is cheap enough for two. A newly hired police officer discharged from the army and an engineering student with occasional freelancing. Ian is a good roommate; Gregory has known him since they were children back in Emerald Islands.

After sorting through his laundry, checking if there is any clean enough shirts to wear. Gregory is shocked by the sudden shout coming from the living room. Running out from his room as soon as possible, expecting some sort of crime scene in there. Watching all those detective shows in his spare times is peppering his mind with the worst possible outcome.

Ian is standing in the living room with his favorite cup shattered on the carpet, looking like he has just seen a ghost. “Ian, are you alright? He hasn’t woken up yet, isn’t he?”  Ian slowly turning his head to him almost comically, “What is he doing on our coach?”. “Wait, you know him?”.

Ian, now regaining his composure, starts to walk back away from the sofa. “ I think you need to explain why he’s here, right now”. His tone changes from usual to something more threatening. “Nothing, he literally passed out on me when I was doing my morning walk and decided to help him but since I didn’t bring my phone, I took him here”.  Groaning in frustration, Ian running his hand through his hair. Gregory notices how pale his friend’s face become.

“Wake him up with a cold water over his face and get him out of here”.  Ian walks to the kitchen with the remnant of his favorite cup. “And for God’s sake, get some milk”.  Worried about his friend’s stiff posture (his soldier stance is back) after not seeing it for quite a long time. Gregory glances at the strange man on his couch. Who is he and what business he got with Ian? .

After honourably discharged from the service and spending time on the streets. No kidding, Ian literally do his stint as a homeless man. Nobody wants to hire a man who can't even tell what he has done in the service. Ian always covers up his business in the army. Nothing more than a shrug or a change of topic every time Gregory inquire him about his past.Everybody has his own baggage dragged behind them after all.

Before starting the process of getting rid of the stranger (All those practices in university of kicking out unwanted one night stands finally be of use). Gregory goes to the corner store buying milk and some bread. He could kiss the dreamy breakfast he had on his mind earlier goodbye. No time for preparing a lovely meal with a stranger still dozing off on his couch. Although Ian will need more bribing than a cup of tea to get him back to his normal self.

Cooking is something Gregory enjoys to do. Ian as an ex-soldier has eaten more crappy food than he would have liked is always willing to be Gregory new recipe test subject. Nothing is more enjoyable than setting up a plate of lovely breakfast. Finished with the task at hand and calls Ian for breakfast. Gregory fills a bucket with cold water and some ice (Yes, he does feel a bit vindictive over the man).

Gregory casually dumps the bucket over the man’s head. In an instant, the man is awake and gripping Gregory throat tightly. He moves really fast, a hell lot faster for a man who has just passed out a moment earlier. Gasping for breath and flailing his limbs, Gregory is trying to find a grip and catastrophically failing. The man hoists him up, setting Gregory on his toes like he weighs nothing more than a pound. His breath warm on his face, his eyes looking alert as ever. Almost too alert for a normal response.Gregory shivered at the man rugged fats breathing on his neck (also at the hand gripping tightly on hir throat, who he tries to kid,anyway). Now, this is what Gregory could only describe as the fucking thunderstorms on his parade.