Heterochromic Haze

9- Autumn

I tug my jacket closer against myself, cursing the bitter chill around me as I listen to the symphony of dried leaves beneath my feet.

The weak autumn sun shines through the trees, doing little to warm the earth but eliciting the most gorgeous golden hues through the stained-glass leaves left on the trees.

I would enjoy it more, but the caffeine from my coffee hasn't hit me yet. I couldn't be in my flat for a moment longer this morning, bouncing around without being able to settle, so I decided on a walk to get my fix of bean juice.

I meander through the park, my breath fogging in the air as I go. I move to turn left when I hesitate, just a hint of recognition passing through my mind as I back track.

Everett's back is facing me, I would know that physique anywhere. His hands are stuffed deep in his pockets, his posture tight and uncomfortable and I make my way over, curious.

I had been dying to see him again, my own eagerness almost scaring me. Just being close to him is intoxicating, and I fear that my desire to be near him has nothing to do with the sculpture anymore.

I hear her before I see her, a tiny slip of a girl with a sharp, sly face. Her features are angular and pointed, interesting rather than beautiful. And she's tearing him a new one from the sounds of it.

I sidle up next to them, my hand gliding down Everett's arm and his head turns sharply, flinching away before relaxing. His eyes are bright and alert and effortlessly handsome.

"Hey you." I murmur and he smiles, his gaze wandering down my body.

I glance down, noting I'm wearing my 'country-side hunting trousers' which in reality are just high waisted brown and cream checked slacks, paired with a cream turtle neck and my dark brown leather jacket.

His cheeks are warm when I glance back at them.

"Excuse me?" The girl says and I turn, glancing at her.

"Oh, hi." I say, watching in amusement as she gives me the once over too. She looks perplexed, as most determined straight people are when they see me.

"Who might you be, poppet?" I ask, smiling wider when Everett's hand brushes my elbow, holding me close.

"I'm Lena, Everett's girlfriend." She says pointedly and I laugh. From the look on Everett's face, I really doubt that.

"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you at last," I say, offering Everett my coffee almost unconsciously. He takes it readily, more relaxed than when I first arrived.

He takes a sip, humming happily and I purse my lips, my heart beating just a little faster. He drinks black coffee.

I turn back to Lena, extending a hand out to her.

"I'm Ledger, Everett's boyfriend." I say, biting my lip to stop myself from laughing as Everett chokes behind me.

Lena's hand freezes in my grasp, her eyes widening in horror.

"What? No. Everett isn't...he doesn't.." She stutters, her eyes traveling the length of my body again and I smile sympathetically.

"Oh, I can assure you, he is and he does." I say suggestively, winking at her.

She withdraws her hand faster than I can say homophobe, stumbling back as her eyes dart between the two of us in disgust.

"You...you're gay?" She says, glancing at Everett, clearly appalled by the notion and I shrug.

"Close enough." I say and she nods quickly.

"Well that explains it." She says, her tone cruel and disapproving, but it doesn't do much for me. Now if she were my father, it might be different. Who doesn't love a guy with daddy issues?

"Get away from me." She hisses, her eyes back on Everett as she practically runs past us and I smile.

Everett is looking at me curiously when I turn to him.

"She's awful." I state chirpily and he chokes on another laugh.

"Yeah. Thank you, for..." He hesitates and I smile coyly.

"Being your fake boyfriend? Any time." I drawl, suggestively quirking my eyebrows and he chuckles quietly, looking down.

His fingers are still gripping my coffee with a vice-like grasp and I determine that I've lost it for good. But funnily enough, I couldn't care less. I stuff my hands in my pockets, a small, uneasy silence creeping between us.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask, resuming my walk and he falls into step beside me.

He sighs heavily, glancing at my coffee cup for a moment.

"We went out briefly for a few weeks. She was demanding, opinionated, almost aggressive. At first it was different, you know, fiery. She held her own in arguments, made the decisions, took care of me." He explains awkwardly and I nod.

"Then, one day we were arguing and she threw something at me." He murmurs, almost ashamed.

He sighs, looking away as he closes himself off.

"I called things off pretty quickly, she still hangs around." He says coldly, his tone indicating he doesn't have anything further to say on the matter. I'm almost certain there's more to the story, but his shoulders are tense and hunched, alerting me to the fact that he's finished regardless of whether the story is. I don't need him to say the words to connect the dots and my heart aches suddenly.

I wonder how many people he has tried to talk about this with, for silence to be the option he deems safest. I wonder how many people have made him feel small, despite being a victim. I can't stand the thought.

I'm silent for a moment too long, pursing my lips as old memories flood my mind, taking me back to a place I never want to be again. I wish, violently, that this weren't something he had to experience. Everett deserves so much better.

"It's pretty terrifying, when someone abuses your trust... your relationship with them... like that." I say finally. I can feel his eyes on my face, but I don't feel strong enough to meet them just yet.

"Yeah, it is." He murmurs softly and I exhale deeply.

"Well, I am very glad that I could be of assistance. It's not everyday you get to be Everett Hayes' fake boyfriend." I say and he rolls his eyes.

"You'll let me know? If you need me again?" I say, my tone serious all of a sudden and he frowns, nodding slowly.

"Yeah..If that's ok?" He asks and I smile.

"Yeah. Although, between you and me, I think being a flaming homo is a major turn off for her." I say discreetly and he laughs loudly. I smile to myself, committing his laugh to memory.

We reach my apartment and I slow down, turning to find Everett looking at me, perplexed.

"Well, I'll see you soon." I say and he frowns.

"Sculpture's no where near done." I explain, jabbing a thumb behind me and he nods slowly, concern creeping onto his face.

Truth be told, I could probably take a few pictures and save Everett hours of his life, but I would rather die. Right now, it's the only thing tying me to him, the only reason he's talking to me at all. I'm not willing to let him go. Not...not yet.

I turn, walking towards the door when Everett calls out.

"Ledger?"

I turn to face him, finding him holding my coffee out to me, a faint pink dusting his cheeks.

"Nah, you keep it. It would be a pretty lousy coffee date otherwise." I say, grinning as I close the door between us.

Not the morning I had expected when I woke up, but so much more.